1. U.S. Code
  2. title 42
  3. chapter 8A
  4. subchapter III
  5. § 1485

Collapse to view only § 1485. Housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families or other persons and families of low income

§ 1471. Financial assistance by Secretary of Agriculture
(a) Authorization and purposes of assistance
The Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter referred to as the “Secretary”) is authorized, subject to the terms and conditions of this subchapter, to extend financial assistance, through the Farmers Home Administration, (1) to owners of farms in the United States and in the Territories of Alaska and Hawaii and in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the territories and possessions of the United States, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, to enable them to construct, improve, alter, repair, or replace dwellings and other farm buildings on their farms, and to purchase buildings and land constituting a minimum adequate site, in order to provide them, their tenants, lessees, sharecroppers, and laborers with decent, safe, and sanitary living conditions and adequate farm buildings as specified in this subchapter, and (2) to owners of other real estate in rural areas for the construction, improvement, alteration, or repair of dwellings, related facilities, and farm buildings and to rural residents, including persons who reside in reservations or villages of Indian tribes, for such purposes and for the purchase of buildings and the purchase of land constituting a minimum adequate site, in order to enable them to provide dwellings and related facilities for their own use and buildings adequate for their farming operations, and (3) to elderly or handicapped persons or families who are or will be the owners of land in rural areas for the construction, improvement, alteration, or repair of dwellings and related facilities, the purchase of dwellings and related facilities and the purchase of land constituting a minimum adequate site, in order to provide them with adequate dwellings and related facilities for their own use, and (4) to an owner described in clause (1), (2), or (3) for refinancing indebtedness which—
(A) was incurred for an eligible purpose described in such clause, and
(B)
(i) if not refinanced, is likely to result (because of circumstances beyond the control of the applicant) at an early date in the loss of the applicant’s necessary dwelling or essential farm service buildings, or
(ii) if combined (in the case of a dwelling that the Secretary finds not to be decent, safe, and sanitary) with a loan for improvement, rehabilitation, or repairs and not refinanced, is likely to result in the applicant’s continuing to be deprived of a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling.
(5)1
1 So in original.
Definitions.—For purposes of this subchapter, the terms “repair”, “repairs”, “rehabilitate”, and “rehabilitation” include measures to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards, as such terms are defined in section 4851b of this title.
(b) Definitions
(1) For the purpose of this subchapter, the term “farm” shall mean a parcel or parcels of land operated as a single unit which is used for the production of one or more agricultural commodities and which customarily produces or is capable of producing such commodities for sale and for home use of a gross annual value of not less than the equivalent of a gross annual value of $400 in 1944, as determined by the Secretary. The Secretary shall promptly determine whether any parcel or parcels of land constitute a farm for the purposes of this subchapter whenever requested to do so by any interested Federal, State, or local public agency, and his determination shall be conclusive.
(2) For the purposes of this subchapter, the terms “owner” and “mortgage” shall be deemed to include, respectively, the lessee of, and other security interest in, any leasehold interest which the Secretary determines has an unexpired term (A) in the case of a loan, for a period sufficiently beyond the repayment period of the loan to provide adequate security and a reasonable probability of accomplishing the objectives for which the loan is made, and (B) in the case of a grant for a period sufficient to accomplish the objectives for which the grant is made.
(3) For the purposes of this subchapter, the term “elderly or handicapped persons or families” means families which consist of two or more persons, the head of which (or his or her spouse) is at least sixty-two years of age or is handicapped. Such term also means a single person who is at least sixty-two years of age or is handicapped. A person shall be considered handicapped if such person is determined, pursuant to regulations issued by the Secretary, to have an impairment which (A) is expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration, (B) substantially impedes his ability to live independently, and (C) is of such a nature that such ability could be improved by more suitable housing conditions, or if such person has a developmental disability as defined in section 15002 of this title. The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to prevent abuses in determining, under the definitions contained in this paragraph, eligibility of families and persons for admission to and occupancy of housing constructed with assistance under this subchapter. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this paragraph, such term also includes two or more elderly (sixty-two years of age or over) or handicapped persons living together, one or more such persons living with another person who is determined (under regulations prescribed by the Secretary) to be essential to the care or well-being of such persons, and the surviving member or members of any family described in the first sentence of this paragraph who were living, in a unit assisted under this subchapter, with the deceased member of the family at the time of his or her death.
(4) For the purpose of this subchapter, the terms “low income families or persons” and “very low-income families or persons” means those families and persons whose incomes do not exceed the respective levels established for lower income families and very low-income families under the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.]. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the maximum income levels established for purposes of this subchapter for such families and persons in the Virgin Islands shall not be less than the highest such levels established for purposes of this subchapter for such families and persons in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. The temporary absence of a child from the home due to placement in foster care should not be considered in considering family composition and family size.
(5)
(A) For the purpose of this subchapter, the terms “income” and “adjusted income” have the meanings given by sections 3(b)(4) and 3(b)(5), respectively, of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(4), (5)].
(B) For purposes of this subchapter, the term “income” does not include dividends received from the Alaska Permanent Fund by a person who was under the age of 18 years when that person qualified for the dividend.
(6) For the purposes of this subchapter, the term “Indian tribe” means any Indian tribe, band, group, and nation, including Alaska Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos, and any Alaskan Native Village, of the United States, which is considered an eligible recipient under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (Public Law 93–638) [25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.] or was considered an eligible recipient under chapter 67 of title 31 prior to the repeal of such chapter.
(7) For the purposes of this subchapter, the term “rural resident” shall include a family or a person who is a renter of a dwelling unit in a rural area.
(8) For the purposes of this subchapter, the term “adequate dwelling” means a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling unit.
(c) Conditions of eligibility
In order to be eligible for the assistance authorized by subsection (a), the applicant must show (1) that he is the owner of a farm which is without a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling for himself and his family and necessary resident farm labor, or for the family of the operating tenant, lessee, or sharecropper, or without other farm buildings adequate for the type of farming in which he engages or desires to engage, or that he is the owner of other real estate in a rural area or a rural resident without an adequate dwelling or related facilities for his own use or buildings adequate for his farming operations, or that the applicant is an elderly or handicapped person or family in a rural area without an adequate dwelling or related facility for its own use, or that he is the owner of a farm or other real estate in a rural area who needs refinancing of indebtedness described in clause (4) of subsection (a); (2) that he is without sufficient resources to provide the necessary housing and buildings on his own account; and (3) that he is unable to secure the credit necessary for such housing and buildings from other sources upon terms and conditions which he could reasonably be expected to fulfill. If an applicant is a State or local public agency or Indian tribe—
(A) the provisions of clause (3) shall not apply to its application; and
(B) the applicant shall be eligible to participate in any program under this subchapter if the persons or families to be served by the applicant with the assistance being sought would be eligible to participate in such program.
(d) Additional definitions
(e) Prepayment of taxes, insurance, and other expenses; advances to account of borrower: interest, time for repayment
(f) Increase in loan limits
(g) Avoidance of involuntary displacement of families and businesses
(h) Eligibility of resident aliens
(i) Loan packaging by nonprofit organizations as a “development cost”
(j) Program transfers
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 501, 63 Stat. 432; Pub. L. 87–70, title VIII, §§ 801(a), 803, June 30, 1961, 75 Stat. 186; Pub. L. 87–723, § 4(a)(1), Sept. 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 670; Pub. L. 89–117, title X, § 1001, Aug. 10, 1965, 79 Stat. 497; Pub. L. 89–754, title VIII, §§ 801, 807, Nov. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 1282; Pub. L. 91–609, title VIII, § 802, Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1806; Pub. L. 93–383, title V, §§ 501–503, 505(a), 520, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 692, 693, 699; Pub. L. 95–128, title V, §§ 503, 507(a)(1), (2), (b), Oct. 12, 1977, 91 Stat. 1139–1141; Pub. L. 95–619, title II, § 248(c), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3235; Pub. L. 96–153, title V, §§ 502(b), 506, Dec. 21, 1979, 93 Stat. 1134, 1136; Pub. L. 96–399, title V, §§ 506, 507(a), (h), 512, Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1669–1671; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 502], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1240; Pub. L. 98–479, title I, § 105(a), title II, § 203(d)(3), Oct. 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 2226, 2229; Pub. L. 99–272, title XIV, § 14001(b)(3), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 328; Pub. L. 100–242, title III, §§ 302(a), (b)(1), 303, 315, 316(a), Feb. 5, 1988, 101 Stat. 1893, 1894, 1897; Pub. L. 101–625, title VII, §§ 702, 703, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4282, 4283; Pub. L. 102–550, title VII, § 714, title X, § 1012(m), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3842, 3907; Pub. L. 104–193, title IV, § 441(b), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2276; Pub. L. 106–402, title IV, § 401(b)(8), Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1738; Pub. L. 107–76, title VII, § 752,

CITE AS: 42 USC 1471

§ 1472. Loans for housing and buildings on adequate farms
(a) Terms of loan
(1) If the Secretary determines that an applicant is eligible for assistance as provided in section 1471 of this title and that the applicant has the ability to repay in full the sum to be loaned, with interest, giving due consideration to the income and earning capacity of the applicant and his family from the farm and other sources, and the maintenance of a reasonable standard of living for the owner and the occupants of said farm, a loan may be made by the Secretary to said applicant for a period of not to exceed thirty-three years from the making of the loan with interest. The Secretary may accept the personal liability of any person with adequate repayment ability who will cosign the applicant’s note to compensate for any deficiency in the applicant’s repayment ability. At the borrower’s option, the borrower may prepay to the Secretary as escrow agent, on terms and conditions prescribed by him, such taxes, insurance, and other expenses as the Secretary may require in accordance with section 1471(e) of this title.
(2) The Secretary may extend the period of any loan made under this section if the Secretary determines that such extension is necessary to permit the making of such loan to any person whose income does not exceed 60 per centum of the median income for the area and who would otherwise be denied such loan because the payments required under a shorter period would exceed the financial capacity of such person. The aggregate period for which any loan may be extended under this paragraph may not exceed 5 years.
(3)
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, a loan may be made under this section for the purchase of a dwelling located on land owned by a community land trust, if the borrower and the loan otherwise meet the requirements applicable to loans under this section.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term “community land trust” means a community housing development organization as such term is defined in section 12704 of this title (except that the requirements under section 12704(6)(C) of this title and section 12704(6)(D) of this title shall not apply for purposes of this paragraph)—
(i) that is not sponsored by a for-profit organization;
(ii) that is established to carry out the activities under clause (iii);
(iii) that—(I) acquires parcels of land, held in perpetuity, primarily for conveyance under long-term ground leases;(II) transfers ownership of any structural improvements located on such leased parcels to the lessees; and(III) retains a preemptive option to purchase any such structural improvement at a price determined by formula that is designed to ensure that the improvement remains affordable to low- and moderate-income families in perpetuity; and
(iv) that has its corporate membership open to any adult resident of a particular geographic area specified in the bylaws of the organization.
(b) Provisions of loan instrumentThe instruments under which the loan is made and the security given shall—
(1) provide for security upon the applicant’s equity in the farm or such other security or collateral, if any, as may be found necessary by the Secretary reasonably to assure repayment of the indebtedness;
(2) provide for the repayment of principal and interest in accordance with schedules and repayment plans prescribed by the Secretary, except that any prepayment of a loan made or insured under section 1484 or 1485 of this title shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (c);
(3) except for guaranteed loans, contain the agreement of the borrower that he will, at the request of the Secretary, proceed with diligence to refinance the balance of the indebtedness through cooperative or other responsible private credit sources whenever the Secretary determines, in the light of the borrower’s circumstances, including his earning capacity and the income from the farm, that he is able to do so upon reasonable terms and conditions;
(4) be in such form and contain such covenants as the Secretary shall prescribe to secure the payment of the loan with interest, protect the security, and assure that the farm will be maintained in repair and that waste and exhaustion of the farm will be prevented.
(c) Prepayment and refinancing provisions
(1)
(A) The Secretary may not accept an offer to prepay, or request refinancing in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of, any loan made or insured under section 1484 or 1485 of this title pursuant to a contract entered into after December 21, 1979, but before December 15, 1989
(i) fifteen years from the date on which the loan was made in the case of a loan made or insured pursuant to a contract entered into after December 21, 1979, but before December 15, 1989, and utilized for housing and related facilities which have not received assistance under section 1490a(a)(1)(B), (a)(2), or (5) of this title or section 1437f of this title; or
(ii) twenty years from the date on which the loan was made in the case of any other such loan;
or until the Secretary determines (prior to the end of such period) that there is no longer a need for such housing and related facilities to be so utilized or that Federal or other financial assistance provided to the residents of such housing will no longer be provided.
(B) The Secretary may not accept an offer to prepay, or request refinancing in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of, any initial loan made or insured under section 1485 of this title pursuant to a contract entered into on or after December 15, 1989.
(2) If any loan which was made or insured under section 1484 or 1485 of this title pursuant to a contract entered into prior to December 15, 1989, is prepaid or refinanced on or after October 8, 1980, and tenants of the housing and related facilities financed with such loan are displaced due to a change in the use of the housing, or to an increase in rental or other charges, as a result of such prepayment or refinancing, the Secretary shall provide such tenants a priority for relocation in alternative housing assisted pursuant to this subchapter.
(3)Notice of offer to prepay.—Not less than 30 days after receiving an offer to prepay any loan made or insured under section 1484 or 1485 of this title, the Secretary shall provide written notice of the offer or request to the tenants of the housing and related facilities involved, to interested nonprofit organizations, and to any appropriate State and local agencies.
(4)
(A)Agreement by borrower to extend low income use.—Before accepting any offer to prepay, or requesting refinancing in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of, any loan made or insured under section 1484 or 1485 of this title pursuant to a contract entered into prior to December 15, 1989, the Secretary shall make reasonable efforts to enter into an agreement with the borrower under which the borrower will make a binding commitment to extend the low income use of the assisted housing and related facilities involved for not less than the 20-year period beginning on the date on which the agreement is executed.
(B)Assistance available to borrower to extend low income use.—To the extent of amounts provided in appropriation Acts, the agreement under subparagraph (A) may provide for 1 or more of the following forms of assistance that the Secretary, after taking into account local market conditions, determines to be necessary to extend the low income use of the housing and related facilities involved:
(i) Increase in the rate of return on investment.
(ii) Reduction of the interest rate on the loan through the provision of interest credits under section 1490a(a)(1)(B) of this title, or additional assistance or an increase in assistance provided under section 1490a(a)(5) of this title.
(iii) Additional rental assistance, or an increase in assistance provided under existing contracts, under section 1490a(a)(2) or 1490a(a)(5) of this title or under section 1437f of this title.
(iv) An equity loan to the borrower under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1485(c) of this title or under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1484(j) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title, except that an equity loan referred to in this clause may not be made available after August 6, 1996, unless the Secretary determines that the other incentives available under this subparagraph are not adequate to provide a fair return on the investment of the borrower, to prevent prepayment of the loan insured under section 1484 or 1485 of this title, or to prevent the displacement of tenants of the housing for which the loan was made.
(v) Incremental rental assistance in connection with loans under clauses (ii) and (iv) to the extent necessary to avoid increases in the rental payments of current tenants not receiving rental assistance under section 1490a(a)(2) of this title or under section 1437f of this title, or current tenants of projects not assisted under section 1490a(a)(5) of this title.
(vi) In the case of a project that has received rental assistance under section 1437f of this title, permitting the owner to receive rent in excess of the amount determined necessary by the Secretary to defray the cost of long-term repair or maintenance of such a project.
(C)Approval of assistance.—The Secretary may approve assistance under subparagraph (B) for assisted housing only if the restrictive period has expired for any loan for the housing made or insured under section 1484 or 1485 of this title pursuant to a contract entered into after December 21, 1979, but before December 15, 1989, and the Secretary determines that the combination of assistance provided—
(i) is necessary to provide a fair return on the investment of the borrower; and
(ii) is the least costly alternative for the Federal Government that is consistent with carrying out the purposes of this subsection.
(5)
(A)Offer to sell to nonprofit organizations and public agencies.—
(i)In general.—If the Secretary determines after a reasonable period that an agreement will not be entered into with a borrower under paragraph (4), the Secretary shall require the borrower (except as provided in subparagraph (G)) to offer to sell the assisted housing and related facilities involved to any qualified nonprofit organization or public agency at a fair market value determined by 2 independent appraisers, one of whom shall be selected by the Secretary and one of whom shall be selected by the borrower. If the 2 appraisers fail to agree on the fair market value, the Secretary and the borrower shall jointly select a third appraiser, whose appraisal shall be binding on the Secretary and the borrower.
(ii)Period for which requirement applicable.—If, upon the expiration of 180 days after an offer is made to sell housing and related facilities under clause (i), no qualified nonprofit organization or public agency has made a bona fide offer to purchase, the Secretary may accept the offer to prepay, or may request refinancing in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of, the loan. This clause shall apply only when funds are available for purposes of carrying out a transfer under this paragraph.
(B)Qualified nonprofit organizations and public agencies.—
(i)Local nonprofit organization or public agency.—A local nonprofit organization or public agency may purchase housing and related facilities under this paragraph only if—(I) the organization or agency is determined by the Secretary to be capable of managing the housing and related facilities (either directly or through a contract) for the remaining useful life of the housing and related facilities; and(II) the organization or agency has entered into an agreement that obligates it (and successors in interest thereof) to maintain the housing and related facilities as affordable for very low-income families or persons and low income families or persons for the remaining useful life of the housing and related facilities.
(ii)National or regional nonprofit organization.—If the Secretary determines that there is no local nonprofit organization or public agency qualified to purchase the housing and related facilities involved, the Secretary shall require the borrower to offer to sell the assisted housing and related facilities to an existing qualified national or regional nonprofit organization.
(iii)Selection of qualified purchaser.—The Secretary shall promulgate regulations that establish criteria for selecting a qualified nonprofit organization or public agency to purchase housing and related facilities when more than 1 such organization or agency has made a bona fide offer. Such regulations shall give a priority to those organizations or agencies with the greatest experience in developing or managing low income housing or community development projects and with the longest record of service to the community.
(C)Financing of sale.—To facilitate the sale described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall—
(i) to the extent provided in appropriation Acts, make an advance to the nonprofit organization or public agency whose offer to purchase is accepted under this paragraph to cover any direct costs (other than the purchase price) incurred by the organization or agency in purchasing and assuming responsibility for the housing and related facilities involved;
(ii) approve the assumption, by the nonprofit organization or public agency involved, of the loan made or insured under section 1484 or 1485 of this title;
(iii) to the extent provided in appropriation Acts, transfer any rental assistance payments that are received under section 1490a(a)(2)(A) of this title or under section 1437f of this title, or any assistance payments received under section 1490a(a)(5) of this title, with respect to the housing and related facilities involved; and
(iv) to the extent provided in appropriation Acts, provide a loan under section 1485(c)(3) of this title to the nonprofit organization or public agency whose offer to purchase is accepted under this paragraph to enable the organization or agency to purchase the housing and related facilities involved.
(D)Rent limitation and assistance.—The Secretary shall, to the extent provided in appropriation Acts, provide to each nonprofit organization or public agency purchasing housing and related facilities under this paragraph financial assistance (in the form of monthly payments or forgiveness of debt) in an amount necessary to ensure that the monthly rent payment made by each low income family or person residing in the housing does not exceed the maximum rent permitted under section 1490a(a)(2)(A) of this title or, in the case of housing assisted under section 1490a(a)(5) of this title, does not exceed the rents established for the project under such section.
(E)Restriction on subsequent transfers.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B)(ii), the Secretary may not approve the transfer of any housing and related facilities purchased under this paragraph during the remaining useful life of the housing and related facilities, unless the Secretary determines that—
(i) the transfer will further the provision of housing and related facilities for low income families or persons; or
(ii) there is no longer a need for such housing and related facilities by low income families or persons.
(F)General restriction on prepayments and refinancings.—Following the transfer of the maximum number of dwelling units set forth in subparagraph (H)(i) in any fiscal year or the maximum number of dwelling units for which budget authority is available in any fiscal year, the Secretary may not accept in such fiscal year any offer to prepay, or request refinancing in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of, any loan made or insured under section 1484 or 1485 of this title pursuant to a contract entered into prior to December 15, 1989, except in accordance with subparagraph (G). The limitation established in this subparagraph shall not apply to an offer to prepay, or request to refinance, if, following the date on which such offer or request is made (or following February 5, 1988, whichever occurs later) a 15-month period expires during which no budget authority is available to carry out this paragraph. For purposes of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall allocate budget authority under this paragraph in the order in which offers to prepay, or request to refinance, are made.
(G)Exception.—This paragraph shall not apply to any offer to prepay, or any request to refinance in accordance with subsection (b)(3), any loan made or insured under section 1484 or 1485 of this title pursuant to a contract entered into prior to December 15, 1989, if—
(i) the borrower enters into an agreement with the Secretary that obligates the borrower (and successors in interest thereof)—(I) to utilize the assisted housing and related facilities for the purposes specified in section 1484 or 1485 of this title, as the case may be, for a period determined by the Secretary (but not less than the period described in paragraph (1)(B) calculated from the date on which the loan is made or insured); and(II) upon termination of the period described in paragraph (1)(B), to offer to sell the assisted housing and related facilities to a qualified nonprofit organization or public agency in accordance with this paragraph; or
(ii) the Secretary determines that housing opportunities of minorities will not be materially affected as a result of the prepayment or refinancing, and that—(I) the borrower (and any successor in interest thereof) are obligated to ensure that tenants of the housing and related facilities financed with the loan will not be displaced due to a change in the use of the housing, or to an increase in rental or other charges, as a result of the prepayment or refinancing; or(II) there is an adequate supply of safe, decent, and affordable rental housing within the market area of the housing and related facilities and sufficient actions have been taken to ensure that the rental housing will be made available to each tenant upon displacement.
(H)Funding.—
(i)Budget limitation.—Not more than 5,000 dwelling units may be transferred under this paragraph in any fiscal year, and the budget authority that may be provided under this paragraph for any fiscal year may not exceed the amounts required to carry out this paragraph with respect to such number.
(ii)Reimbursement of rural housing insurance fund.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Rural Housing Insurance Fund such sums as may be necessary to reimburse the Fund for financial assistance provided under this paragraph, paragraph (4), and section 1487(j)(7) of this title.
(I)Definitions.—For purposes of this paragraph:
(i)Local nonprofit organization.—The term “local nonprofit organization” means a nonprofit organization that—(I) has a broad based board reflecting various interests in the community or trade area; and(II) is a not-for-profit charitable organization whose principal purposes include developing or managing low income housing or community development projects.
(ii)Nonprofit organization.—The term “nonprofit organization” means any private organization—(I) no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member, founder, contributor, or individual;(II) that is approved by the Secretary as to financial responsibility; and(III) that does not have among its officers or directorate persons or parties with a material interest (or persons or parties related to any person or party with such an interest) in loans financed under section 1485 of this title that have been prepaid.
(J)Regulations.—Notwithstanding section 1490n of this title, the Secretary shall issue final regulations to carry out this paragraph not later than 60 days after February 5, 1988. The Secretary shall provide for the regulations to take effect not later than 45 days after the date on which the regulations are issued.
(d) Dwelling units available to very low-income families or personsOn and after November 30, 1983—
(1) not less than 40 percent of the funds approved in appropriation Acts for use under this section shall be set aside and made available only for very low-income families or persons; and
(2) not less than 30 percent of the funds allocated to each State under this section shall be available only for very low-income families or persons.
(e) Manufactured homes; qualifications for loans made or insured; energy conservation requirements
(1) A loan which may be made or insured under this section with respect to housing shall be made or insured with respect to a manufactured home or with respect to a manufactured home and lot, whether such home or such home and lot is real property, personal property, or mixed real and personal property, if—
(A) the manufactured home meets the standards prescribed pursuant to title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 [42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq.];
(B) the manufactured home, or the manufactured home and lot, meets the installation, structural, and site requirements which would apply under title II of the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.]; and
(C) the manufactured home meets the energy conserving requirements established under paragraph (2), or until the energy conserving requirements are established under paragraph (2), the manufactured home meets the energy conserving requirements applicable to housing other than manufactured housing financed under this subchapter.
(2) Energy conserving requirements established by the Secretary for the purpose of paragraph (1)(C) shall—
(A) reduce the operating costs for a borrower by maximizing the energy savings and be cost-effective over the life of the manufactured home or the term of the loan, whichever is shorter, taking into account variations in climate, types of energy used, the cost to modify the home to meet such requirements, and the estimated value of the energy saved over the term of the mortgage; and
(B) be established so that the increase in the annual loan payment resulting from the added energy conserving requirements in excess of those required by the standards prescribed under title VI of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 [
(3) A loan that may be made or insured under this section with respect to a manufactured home on a permanent foundation, or a manufactured home on a permanent foundation and a lot, shall be repayable over the same period as would be applicable under section 203(b) of the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1709(b)].
(f) Remote rural areas
(1) Loan supplements
(2) Prohibition
(g) Deferred mortgage demonstration
(1) Authority
(2) Interest
(3) Funding
(h) Doug Bereuter section 502 single family housing loan guarantee program
(1) Short title
(2) Authority
(3) Eligible borrowers
(4) Eligible housingLoans may be guaranteed pursuant to this subsection only if the loan is used to acquire or construct a single-family residence that is—
(A) to be used as the principal residence of the borrower;
(B) eligible for assistance under this section, section 203(b) of the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1709(b)], or chapter 37 of title 38; and
(C) located in a rural area.
(5) Priority and counseling for first-time homebuyers
(A) In providing guaranteed loans under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to first-time homebuyers (as defined in paragraph (17)).
(B) The Secretary may require that, as a condition of receiving a guaranteed loan pursuant to this subsection, a borrower who is a first-time homebuyer successfully complete a program of homeownership counseling under section 1701x(a)(1)(iii) of title 12 and obtain certification from the provider of the program that the borrower is adequately prepared for the obligations of homeownership.
(6) Eligible lenders
(7) Loan termsLoans guaranteed pursuant to this subsection shall—
(A) be made for a term not to exceed 30 years;
(B) involve a rate of interest that is fixed over the term of the loan and does not exceed the rate for loans guaranteed under chapter 37 of title 38 or comparable loans in the area that are not guaranteed; and
(C) involve a principal obligation (including initial service charges, appraisal, inspection, and other fees as the Secretary may approve)—
(i) for a first-time homebuyer, in any amount not in excess of 100 percent of the appraised value of the property as of the date the loan is accepted or the acquisition cost of the property, whichever is less, plus the guarantee fee as authorized by subsection (h)(7); 2
2 So in original. Probably should be subsection “(h)(8)”.
and
(ii) for any borrower other than a first-time homebuyer, in an amount not in excess of the percentage of the property or the acquisition cost of the property that the Secretary shall determine, such percentage or cost in any event not to exceed 100 percent of the appraised value of the property as of the date the loan is accepted or the acquisition cost of the property, whichever is less, plus the guarantee fee as authorized by subsection (h)(7).2
(8) FeesNotwithstanding paragraph (14)(D), with respect to a guaranteed loan issued or modified under this subsection, the Secretary may collect from the lender—
(A) at the time of issuance of the guarantee or modification, a fee not to exceed 3.5 percent of the principal obligation of the loan; and
(B) an annual fee not to exceed 0.5 percent of the outstanding principal balance of the loan for the life of the loan.
(9) Refinancing
(10) Nonassumption
(11) Geographical targeting
(12) Allocation
(13) Loss mitigation
(14) Payment of partial claims and mortgage modificationsThe Secretary may authorize the modification of mortgages, and establish a program for payment of a partial claim to a mortgagee that agrees to apply the claim amount to payment of a mortgage on a 1- to 4-family residence, for mortgages that are in default or face imminent default, as defined by the Secretary. Any payment under such program directed to the mortgagee shall be made at the sole discretion of the Secretary and on terms and conditions acceptable to the Secretary, except that—
(A) the amount of the partial claim payment shall be in an amount determined by the Secretary, and shall not exceed an amount equivalent to 30 percent of the unpaid principal balance of the mortgage and any costs that are approved by the Secretary;
(B) the amount of the partial claim payment shall be applied first to any outstanding indebtedness on the mortgage, including any arrearage, but may also include principal reduction;
(C) the mortgagor shall agree to repay the amount of the partial claim to the Secretary upon terms and conditions acceptable to the Secretary;
(D) expenses related to a partial claim or modification are not to be charged to the borrower;
(E) the Secretary may authorize compensation to the mortgagee for lost income on monthly mortgage payments due to interest rate reduction;
(F) the Secretary may reimburse the mortgagee from the appropriate guaranty fund in connection with any activities that the mortgagee is required to undertake concerning repayment by the mortgagor of the amount owed to the Secretary;
(G) the Secretary may authorize payments to the mortgagee on behalf of the borrower, under such terms and conditions as are defined by the Secretary, based on successful performance under the terms of the mortgage modification, which shall be used to reduce the principal obligation under the modified mortgage; and
(H) the Secretary may authorize the modification of mortgages with terms extended up to 40 years from the date of modification.
(15) Assignment
(A) Program authority
(B) Program requirements
(i) In general
(ii) Acceptance of assignmentThe Secretary may accept assignment of a mortgage under a program under this subsection only if—(I) the mortgage is in default or facing imminent default;(II) the mortgagee has modified the mortgage or qualified the mortgage for modification sufficient to cure the default and provide for mortgage payments the mortgagor is reasonably able to pay, at interest rates not exceeding current market interest rates; and(III) the Secretary arranges for servicing of the assigned mortgage by a mortgagee (which may include the assigning mortgagee) through procedures that the Secretary has determined to be in the best interests of the appropriate guaranty fund.
(C) Payment of guaranty
(D) DispositionAfter modification of a mortgage pursuant to this paragraph, and assignment of the mortgage, the Secretary may provide guarantees under this subsection for the mortgage. The Secretary may subsequently—
(i) re-assign the mortgage to the mortgagee under terms and conditions as are agreed to by the mortgagee and the Secretary;
(ii) act as a Government National Mortgage Association issuer, or contract with an entity for such purpose, in order to pool the mortgage into a Government National Mortgage Association security; or
(iii) re-sell the mortgage in accordance with any program that has been established for purchase by the Federal Government of mortgages insured under this subchapter, and the Secretary may coordinate standards for interest rate reductions available for loan modification with interest rates established for such purchase.
(E) Loan servicing
(16) DefinitionsFor purposes of this subsection:
(A) The term “displaced homemaker” means an individual who—
(i) is an adult;
(ii) has not worked full-time full-year in the labor force for a number of years but has, during such years, worked primarily without remuneration to care for the home and family; and
(iii) is unemployed or underemployed and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment.
(B) The term “first-time homebuyer” means any individual who (and whose spouse) has had no present ownership in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of purchase of the property acquired with a guaranteed loan under this subsection except that—
(i) any individual who is a displaced homemaker may not be excluded from consideration as a first-time homebuyer under this subparagraph on the basis that the individual, while a homemaker, owned a home with his or her spouse or resided in a home owned by the spouse; and
(ii) any individual who is a single parent may not be excluded from consideration as a first-time homebuyer under this subparagraph on the basis that the individual, while married, owned a home with his or her spouse or resided in a home owned by the spouse.
(C) The term “single parent” means an individual who—
(i) is unmarried or legally separated from a spouse; and
(ii)(I) has 1 or more minor children for whom the individual has custody or joint custody; or(II) is pregnant.
(D) The term “State” means the States of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Trust Territories of the Pacific, and any other possession of the United States.
(17) Guarantees for refinancing loans
(A) In general
(B) Interest rate
(C) Security
(D) Amount
(E) Other requirements
(F) Authority to establish limitation
(18) Delegation of approval
(i) Guaranteed underwriting user fee
(1) Authority; maximum amount
(2) Crediting; availability
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 502, 63 Stat. 433; Pub. L. 87–70, title VIII, § 801(b), June 30, 1961, 75 Stat. 186; Pub. L. 87–723, § 4(a)(2), Sept. 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 671; Pub. L. 89–117, title X, § 1002, Aug. 10, 1965, 79 Stat. 497; Pub. L. 89–754, title VIII, § 802, Nov. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 1282; Pub. L. 93–383, title V, § 505(b), Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 693; Pub. L. 95–128, title V, § 502(a), Oct. 12, 1977, 91 Stat. 1139; Pub. L. 96–153, title V, § 503, Dec. 21, 1979, 93 Stat. 1134; Pub. L. 96–399, title V, § 514(a), Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1671; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 503(a), (d)], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1240, 1241; Pub. L. 98–479, title I, § 105(b)(1), Oct. 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 2226; Pub. L. 100–242, title II, § 241, title III, § 314, Feb. 5, 1988, 101 Stat. 1886, 1897; Pub. L. 100–628, title X, § 1028, Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3271; Pub. L. 101–235, title II, § 206, Dec. 15, 1989, 103 Stat. 2041; Pub. L. 101–625, title VII, §§ 704(a), 705(a), 706(b), 719(b), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4283, 4284, 4297; Pub. L. 102–142, title VII, § 743(b), Oct. 28, 1991, 105 Stat. 915; Pub. L. 102–550, title VII, §§ 701(g), 702(a), 703, 704, 712(a), (b), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3834, 3835, 3841; Pub. L. 104–180, title VII, § 734(c)(3)(A), (B), Aug. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 1602; Pub. L. 105–276, title V, § 599C(e)(2)(A), (f), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2662, 2663; Pub. L. 106–569, title VII, § 701, Dec. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 3013; Pub. L. 108–285, § 3(b), (c), Aug. 2, 2004, 118 Stat. 917, 918; Pub. L. 108–447, div. A, title VII, § 726(b), Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 2842; Pub. L. 111–22, div. A, title I, § 101(a), (b), May 20, 2009, 123 Stat. 1633, 1635; Pub. L. 111–212, title I, § 102(a), July 29, 2010, 124 Stat. 2303; Pub. L. 114–201, title II, §§ 201, 202, July 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 805; Pub. L. 115–141, div. A, title VII, § 758, Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 395.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1472

§ 1473. Loans for housing and buildings on potentially adequate farms; conditions and terms

If the Secretary determines (a) that, because of the inadequacy of the income of an eligible applicant from the farm to be improved and from other sources, said applicant may not reasonably be expected to make annual repayments of principal and interest in an amount sufficient to repay the loan in full within the period of time prescribed by the Secretary as authorized in this subchapter; (b) that the income of the applicant may be sufficiently increased within a period of not to exceed five years by improvement or enlargement of the farm or an adjustment of the farm practices or methods; and (c) that the applicant has adopted and may reasonably be expected to put into effect a plan of farm improvement, enlargement, or adjusted practices or production which, in the opinion of the Secretary, will increase the applicant’s income from said farm within a period of not to exceed five years to the extent that the applicant may be expected thereafter to make annual repayments of principal and interest sufficient to repay the balance of the indebtedness less payments in cash and credits for the contributions to be made by the Secretary as hereinafter provided, the Secretary may make a loan in an amount necessary to provide adequate farm dwellings and buildings on said farm under the terms and conditions prescribed in section 1472 of this title. In addition, the Secretary may agree with the borrower to make annual contributions during the said five-year period in the form of credits on the borrower’s indebtedness in an amount not to exceed the annual installment of interest and 50 per centum of the principal payments accruing during any installment year up to and including the fifth installment year, subject to the conditions that the borrower’s income is, in fact, insufficient to enable the borrower to make payments in accordance with the plan or schedule prescribed by the Secretary and that the borrower pursues his plan of farm reorganization and improvements or enlargement with due diligence.

Except as provided in title 11, this agreement with respect to credits or principal and interest upon the borrower’s indebtedness shall not be assignable nor accrue to the benefit of any third party without the written consent of the Secretary and the Secretary shall have the right, at his option, to cancel the agreement upon the sale of the farm or the execution or creation of any lien thereon subsequent to the lien given to the Secretary, or to refuse to release the lien given to the Secretary except upon payment in cash of the entire original principal plus accrued interest thereon less actual cash payments of principal and interest when the Secretary determines that the release of the lien would permit the benefits of this section to accrue to a person not eligible to receive such benefits.

(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 503, 63 Stat. 434; Pub. L. 95–598, title III, § 329, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2679.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1473

§ 1474. Loans and grants for repairs or improvements of rural dwellings
(a) Prerequisites; purposes; amounts; terms
(b) Additional purposes
(c) Weatherization program; development, etc.
(1) In addition to other duties specified in this section, the Secretary shall develop and conduct a weatherization program for the purpose of making grants to finance the purchase or installation, or both, of weatherization materials in dwelling units occupied by low-income families. Such grants shall be made to low-income families who own dwelling units or, subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), to owners of such units for the benefit of the low-income tenants residing therein. In making grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to the weatherization of dwelling units occupied by low-income elderly or handicapped persons. The Secretary shall, in carrying out this section, consult with the Director of the Community Services Administration and the Secretary of Energy for the purpose of coordinating the weatherization program under this subsection, section 2809(a)(12) of this title, and part A of the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 [42 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.].
(2) In the case of any grant made under this subsection to an owner of a rental dwelling unit the Secretary shall provide that (A) the benefits of weatherization assistance in connection with such unit will accrue primarily to the low-income family residing therein, (B) the rents on such dwelling unit will not be raised because of any increase in value thereof due solely to weatherization assistance provided under this subsection, and (C) no undue or excessive enhancement will occur to the value of such unit.
(3) In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall (A) implement the weatherization standards described in paragraphs (2)(A) and (3) of section 413(b) of the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 [42 U.S.C. 6863(b)], and (B) provide that, with respect to any dwelling unit, not more than $800 of any grant made under this section be expended on weatherization materials and related matters described in section 415(c) of the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 [42 U.S.C. 6865(c)], except that the Secretary shall increase such amount to not more than $1,500 to cover labor costs in areas where the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, determines there is an insufficient number of volunteers and training participants and public service employment workers, assisted pursuant to title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.] or the Community Service Senior Opportunities Act [42 U.S.C. 3056 et seq.], available to work on weatherization projects under the supervision of qualified supervisors.
(4) For purposes of this subsection, the terms “elderly,” “handicapped person,” “low income,” and “weatherization materials” shall have the same meanings given such terms in paragraphs (3), (5), (7), and (9), respectively, of section 412 of the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976 [
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 504, 63 Stat. 434; Pub. L. 87–723, § 4(c)(3), Sept. 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 672; Pub. L. 89–754, title VIII, § 803, Nov. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 1282; Pub. L. 91–609, title VIII, § 803(a), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1806; Pub. L. 93–383, title V, § 504, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 693; Pub. L. 95–619, title II, § 232(a), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3226; Pub. L. 96–153, title V, § 510, Dec. 21, 1979, 93 Stat. 1137; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 504], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1242; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(d)(32), (f)(24)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–425, 2681–433; Pub. L. 106–569, title VII, § 702, Dec. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 3013; Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(o), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1711.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1474

§ 1474a. Security for direct or insured rural housing loans to farmer applicants

On and after August 8, 1968, farmer applicants for direct or insured rural housing loans shall be required to provide only such collateral security as is required of owners of nonfarm tracts.

(Pub. L. 90–463, title II, § 201, Aug. 8, 1968, 82 Stat. 651.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1474a

§ 1475. Loan payment moratorium and foreclosure procedures
(a) Moratorium
(b) Foreclosure procedures
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 505, 63 Stat. 434; Pub. L. 101–625, title VII, § 707, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4287.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1475

§ 1476. Buildings and repairs
(a) Construction in accordance with plans and specifications; supervision and inspection; technical services and research
(b) Research and technical studies for reduction of costs and adaptation and development of fixtures and appurtenances
(c) Research, study, and analysis of farm housingThe Secretary is further authorized to carry out a program of research, study, and analysis of farm housing in the United States to develop data and information on—
(1) the adequacy of existing farm housing;
(2) the nature and extent of current and prospective needs for farm housing, including needs for financing and for improved design, utility, and comfort, and the best methods of satisfying such needs;
(3) problems faced by farmers and other persons eligible under section 1471 of this title in purchasing, constructing, improving, altering, repairing, and replacing farm housing;
(4) the interrelation of farm housing problems and the problems of housing in urban and suburban areas; and
(5) any other matters bearing upon the provision of adequate farm housing.
(d) Research capacity within Farmers Home Administration; establishment; authority
(e) Preparation and submission of estimates of housing needs
(f) Study of housing available for migrant and settled farmworkers
(1) The Secretary shall conduct a study of housing which is available for migrant and settled farmworkers. In conducting such study, the Secretary shall—
(A) determine the location, number, quality, and condition of housing units which are available to such farmworkers and the cost assessed such farmworkers for occupying such units;
(B) recommend legislative, administrative, and other action (including the need for new authority for such action) which may be taken for the purpose of improving both the availability and the condition of such housing units; and
(C) determine the possible roles which individual farmworkers, farmworker associations, individual farmers, farmer associations, and public and private nonprofit agencies can perform in improving the housing conditions of farmworkers.
(2) The Secretary shall transmit the results of the study described in paragraph (1) to each House of the Congress within one year after October 31, 1978.
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 506, 63 Stat. 435; Pub. L. 87–70, title VIII, §§ 804(b)(1), 805(a), June 30, 1961, 75 Stat. 188; Pub. L. 87–723, § 4(c)(2), Sept. 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 672; Pub. L. 88–560, title V, § 503(c), Sept. 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 798; Pub. L. 89–117, title X, § 1005(d), Aug. 10, 1965, 79 Stat. 501; Pub. L. 89–348, § 1(5), Nov. 8, 1965, 79 Stat. 1310; Pub. L. 93–383, title V, §§ 506, 519(a), Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 694, 699; Pub. L. 95–128, title V, § 510, Oct. 12, 1977, 91 Stat. 1142; Pub. L. 95–557, title V, § 502, Oct. 31, 1978, 92 Stat. 2111; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 505], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1242; Pub. L. 104–66, title I, § 1011(m), Dec. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 710.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1476

§ 1477. Preferences for veterans and families of deceased servicemen

As between eligible applicants seeking assistance under sections 1471 to 1474, inclusive, of this title, the Secretary shall give preference to veterans and the families of deceased servicemen. As used herein, a “veteran” shall mean a person who served in the military forces of the United States during any war between the United States and any other nation or during the period beginning June 27, 1950, and ending on such date as shall be determined by Presidential proclamation or concurrent resolution of Congress, or during the period beginning after January 31, 1955, and ending on August 4, 1964, or during the Vietnam era (as defined in section 101(29) of title 38), and who was discharged or released therefrom on conditions other than dishonorable. “Deceased servicemen” shall mean persons who served in the military forces of the United States during any war between the United States and any other nation or during the period beginning June 27, 1950, and ending on such date as shall be determined by Presidential proclamation or concurrent resolution of Congress, or during the period beginning after January 31, 1955, and ending on August 4, 1964, or during the Vietnam era (as defined in section 101(29) of title 38), and who died in service before the termination of such war or such period or era.

(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 507, 63 Stat. 435; June 30, 1953, ch. 174, § 3, 67 Stat. 132; Pub. L. 87–70, title VIII, § 804(b)(2), June 30, 1961, 75 Stat. 188; Pub. L. 93–383, title V, § 507, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 694.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1477

§ 1478. Local committees to assist Secretary
(a) Composition, appointment, and compensation; chairman; promulgation of procedural rules; forms and equipment
(b) Duties
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 508, 63 Stat. 436; Pub. L. 87–70, title VIII, § 806, June 30, 1961, 75 Stat. 188; Pub. L. 91–609, title VIII, § 803(b), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1807; Pub. L. 93–383, title V, § 508, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 694.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1478

§ 1479. General powers of Secretary
(a) Standards of adequate farm housing and other buildings; criteria
(b) Terms or conditions of leases or occupancy agreements subject to change with approval of Secretary
(c) Rural Housing Insurance Fund for payment of expenditures respecting construction defects; judicial review prohibition
(d) Defaults involving security interest in tribal lands
(e) Terms and conditions; regulations
(f) Housing in underserved areas
(1) Designation of underserved area
The Secretary shall designate as targeted underserved areas 100 counties and communities in each fiscal year that have severe, unmet housing needs as determined by the Secretary. A county or community shall be eligible for designation if, during the 5-year period preceding the year in which the designation is made, it has received an average annual amount of assistance under this subchapter that is substantially lower than the average annual amount of such assistance received during that 5-year period by other counties and communities in the State that are eligible for such assistance calculated on a per capita basis, and has—
(A) 20 percent or more of its population at or below the poverty level; and
(B) 10 percent or more of its population residing in substandard housing.
As used in this paragraph, the term “poverty level” has the meaning given the term in section 5302(a)(9) of this title.
(2) Preferences
In selecting projects to receive assistance with amounts set aside under paragraph (4), the Secretary shall give preference to any project located in a county or community that has, at the time of designation and as determined by the Secretary—
(A) 28 percent or more of its population at or below poverty level; and
(B) 13 percent or more of its population residing in substandard housing.
In designating underserved areas under paragraph (1), in each fiscal year the Secretary shall designate not less than 5 counties or communities that contain tribal allotted or Indian trust land.
(3) Outreach program and review
(A) Outreach
(B) Review
(4) Set-aside for targeted underserved areas and colonias
(A) In general
(B) Priority for colonias
(i) Notwithstanding the designation of counties and communities as targeted underserved areas under paragraph (1) and the provisions of section 1490 of this title, colonias shall be eligible for assistance with amounts reserved under subparagraph (A), as provided in this subparagraph.
(ii) In providing assistance from amounts reserved under this paragraph in each fiscal year, the Secretary shall give priority to any application for assistance to be used in, or in close proximity to, and serving the residents of, a colonia located in a State described under clause (iii). After the Secretary has provided assistance under the priority for colonias located in a State in an amount equal to 5 percent of the total amount of assistance allocated under this subchapter to such State in the fiscal year, the priority shall not apply to any applications for colonias in such State.
(iii) This paragraph shall apply to any State for any fiscal year following 2 fiscal years in which the State obligated the total amount of assistance allocated to it under this subchapter during each of such 2 fiscal years.
(5) List of underserved areas
(6) Project preparation assistance
(A) In general
(B) Use
(C) Approval
(D) Eligibility
(E) Availability of funding
(7) Priority for colonias
(A) In general
(B) Covered years
(8) “Colonia” defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term “colonia” means any identifiable community that—
(A) is in the State of Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas;
(B) is in the area of the United States within 150 miles of the border between the United States and Mexico, except that the term does not include any standard metropolitan statistical area that has a population exceeding 1,000,000;
(C) is determined to be a colonia on the basis of objective criteria, including lack of potable water supply, lack of adequate sewage systems, and lack of decent, safe, and sanitary housing; and
(D) was in existence as a colonia before November 28, 1990.
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 509, 63 Stat. 436; Pub. L. 95–128, title V, § 504, Oct. 12, 1977, 91 Stat. 1139; Pub. L. 96–153, title V, § 508, Dec. 21, 1979, 93 Stat. 1136; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 506(a)], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1242; Pub. L. 101–625, title VII, §§ 708, 709(b), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4287, 4288; Pub. L. 102–550, title VII, § 705, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3835; Pub. L. 104–120, § 4(a), Mar. 28, 1996, 110 Stat. 835; Pub. L. 104–180, title VII, § 734(b), Aug. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 1602; Pub. L. 105–86, title VII, § 735(a), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2110; Pub. L. 105–276, title V, § 599C(a), (e)(2)(B), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2661, 2662.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1479

§ 1480. Administrative powers of SecretaryIn carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, the Secretary shall have the power to—
(a) Service and supply contracts
(b) Subordination, subrogation, and other agreements
(c) Compromise of claims and obligations
(d) Collection of claims and obligationscollect all claims and obligations arising out of or under any mortgage, lease, contract, or agreement entered into pursuant to this subchapter and, if in his judgment necessary and advisable, to pursue the same to final collection in any court having jurisdiction: Provided, That the prosecution and defense of all litigation under this subchapter shall be conducted under the supervision of the Attorney General and the legal representation shall be by the United States attorneys for the districts, respectively, in which such litigation may arise and by such other attorney or attorneys as may, under law, be designated by the Attorney General; except that—
(1) prosecution and defense of any litigation under section 1472 of this title shall be conducted, at the discretion of the Secretary, by—
(A) the United States attorneys for the districts in which the litigation arises and any other attorney that the Attorney General may designate under law, under the supervision of the Attorney General;
(B) the General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture; or
(C) any other attorney with whom the Secretary enters into a contract after a determination by the Secretary that—
(i) the attorney will provide competent and cost-effective representation for the Farmers Home Administration; and
(ii) representation by the attorney will either (I) accelerate the process by which a family or person eligible for assistance under section 1472 of this title will be able to purchase and occupy the housing involved; or (II) preserve the quality of the housing involved; and
(2) the Secretary shall annually submit to the Congress a report describing activities carried out under paragraph (1)(C), including the cost of entering into contracts with such attorneys and the savings resulting from expedited foreclosure proceedings;
(e) Purchase of pledged or mortgaged property at foreclosure or other sales; operation, sale or disposition of said property
(f) Processing of applications received prior to determination of nonrural status; assistance
(g) Rules and regulations for written notice of denial or reduction of assistance
(h) Assistance in connection with transfers and assumptions of property for nonrural areas
(i) Utilization of indebtedness
(j) Fee inspectors and appraisers
(k) Rules and regulations
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 510, 63 Stat. 437; Pub. L. 94–375, § 25(c), Aug. 3, 1976, 90 Stat. 1078; Pub. L. 95–557, title V, § 503, Oct. 31, 1978, 92 Stat. 2112; Pub. L. 96–153, title V, § 507, Dec. 21, 1979, 93 Stat. 1136; Pub. L. 96–399, title V, §§ 508, 510, Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1670, 1671; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 507], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1243; Pub. L. 98–479, title I, § 105(c), Oct. 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 2227; Pub. L. 100–242, title III, § 313, Feb. 5, 1988, 101 Stat. 1897; Pub. L. 100–628, title X, § 1045, Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3273; Pub. L. 101–625, title VII, §§ 710, 711, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4291.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1480

§ 1481. Issuance of notes and obligations for loan funds; amount; limitation; security; form and denomination; interest; purchase and sale by Treasury; public debt transaction

The Secretary may issue notes and other obligations for purchase by the Secretary of the Treasury for the purpose of making direct loans under this subchapter. The notes and obligations issued by the Secretary shall be secured by the obligations of borrowers and the Secretary’s commitments to make contributions under this subchapter and shall be repaid from the payment of principal and interest on the obligations of the borrowers and from funds appropriated hereunder. The notes and other obligations issued by the Secretary shall be in such forms and denominations, shall have such maturities, and shall be subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Secretary with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury. Each such note or other obligation shall bear interest at the average rate, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, payable by the Treasury upon its marketable public obligations outstanding at the beginning of the fiscal year in which such note or other obligation is issued, which are neither due nor callable for redemption for 15 years from their date of issue. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to purchase any notes and other obligations of the Secretary issued hereunder and for such purpose is authorized to use as a public debt transaction the proceeds from the sale of any securities issued under chapter 31 of title 31, and the purposes for which securities may be issued under such chapter are extended to include any purchases of such obligations. The Secretary of the Treasury may at any time sell any of the notes or obligations acquired by him under this section. All redemptions, purchases, and sales by the Secretary of the Treasury of such notes or obligations shall be treated as public debt transactions of the United States.

(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 511, 63 Stat. 438; July 14, 1952, ch. 723, § 11(a), 66 Stat. 604; June 29, 1954, ch. 410, § 5(a), 68 Stat. 320; Aug. 2, 1954, ch. 649, title VIII, § 812(a), 68 Stat. 647; Aug. 11, 1955, ch. 783, title V, § 501(1), 69 Stat. 654; Aug. 7, 1956, ch. 1029, title VI, § 606(a), 70 Stat. 1114; Pub. L. 87–70, title VIII, §§ 801(c), 802, June 30, 1961, 75 Stat. 186; Pub. L. 87–723, § 4(c)(1), Sept. 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 672; Pub. L. 88–560, title V, § 501(a), Sept. 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 796; Pub. L. 89–117, title X, § 1003(b), Aug. 10, 1965, 79 Stat. 500; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 508], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1243; Pub. L. 98–479, title II, § 203(d)(4), Oct. 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 2229.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1481

§ 1482. Repealed. Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 509], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1243

CITE AS: 42 USC 1482

§ 1483. Program levels and authorizations
(a) In general
(1) The Secretary may, to the extent approved in appropriation Acts, insure and guarantee loans under this subchapter during fiscal years 1993 and 1994, in aggregate amounts not to exceed $2,446,855,600 and $2,549,623,535, respectively, as follows:
(A) For insured or guaranteed loans under section 1472 of this title on behalf of low-income borrowers receiving assistance under section 1490a(a)(1) of this title, $1,676,484,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $1,746,896,328 for fiscal year 1994.
(B) For guaranteed loans under section 1472(h) of this title on behalf of low- and moderate-income borrowers, such sums as may be appropriated for fiscal years 1993 and 1994.
(C) For loans under section 1474 of this title, $12,400,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $12,920,800 for fiscal year 1994.
(D) For insured loans under section 1484 of this title, $16,821,600 for fiscal year 1993 and $17,528,107 for fiscal year 1994.
(E) For insured loans under section 1485 of this title, $739,500,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $770,559,000 for fiscal year 1994.
(F) For loans under section 1490c(b)(1)(B) of this title, $800,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $833,600 for fiscal year 1994.
(G) For site loans under section 1490d of this title, $850,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $885,700 for fiscal year 1994.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, insured and guaranteed loan authority authorized in this subchapter for any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1984, shall not be transferred or used for any purpose not specified in this subchapter.
(b) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 1993 and 1994, and to remain available until expended, the following amounts:
(1) For grants under section 1472(f)(1) of this title, $1,100,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $1,146,200 for fiscal year 1994.
(2) For grants under section 1474 of this title, $21,100,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $21,986,200 for fiscal year 1994.
(3) For purposes of section 1479(c) of this title, $600,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $625,200 for fiscal year 1994.
(4) For project preparation grants under section 1479(f)(6) of this title, $5,300,000 in fiscal year 1993 and $5,522,600 in fiscal year 1994.
(5) In fiscal years 1993 and 1994, such sums as may be necessary to meet payments on notes or other obligations issued by the Secretary under section 1481 of this title equal to—
(A) the aggregate of the contributions made by the Secretary in the form of credits on principal due on loans made pursuant to section 1473 of this title; and
(B) the interest due on a similar sum represented by notes or other obligations issued by the Secretary.
(6) For grants for service coordinators under section 1485(y) of this title, $1,000,000 in fiscal year 1993 and $1,042,000 in fiscal year 1994.
(7) For financial assistance under section 1486 of this title—
(A) for low-rent housing and related facilities for domestic farm labor under subsections (a) through (j) of such section, $21,700,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $22,611,400 for fiscal year 1994; and
(B) for housing for rural homeless and migrant farmworkers under subsection (k) of such section, $10,500,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $10,941,000 for fiscal year 1994.
(8) For grants under section 1490c(f) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title, $13,900,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $14,483,800 for fiscal year 1994.
(9) For grants under section 1490m of this title, $30,800,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $32,093,600 for fiscal year 1994.
(c) Rental assistance
(1) The Secretary, to the extent approved in appropriations Acts for fiscal years 1993 and 1994, may enter into rental assistance payment contracts under section 1490a(a)(2)(A) of this title aggregating $414,100,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $431,492,200 for fiscal year 1994.
(2) Any authority approved in appropriation Acts for fiscal year 1988 or any succeeding fiscal year for rental assistance payment contracts under section 1490a(a)(2)(A) of this title or contracts for operating assistance under section 1490a(a)(5) of this title shall be used by the Secretary—
(A) to renew rental assistance payment contracts or operating assistance contracts that expire during such fiscal year;
(B) to provide amounts required to continue assistance payments for the remaining period of an existing contract, in any case in which the original amount of assistance is used prior to the end of the term of the contract; and
(C) to make additional rental assistance payment contracts or operating assistance contracts for existing or newly constructed dwelling units.
(d) Supplemental rental assistance contracts
(e) Authorization of appropriations
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 513, 63 Stat. 438; July 14, 1952, ch. 723, § 11(c), 66 Stat. 604; June 29, 1954, ch. 410, § 5(c), 68 Stat. 320; Aug. 2, 1954, ch. 649, title VIII, § 812(c), 68 Stat. 647; Aug. 11, 1955, ch. 783, title V, § 501(3), 69 Stat. 654; Aug. 7, 1956, ch. 1029, title VI, § 606(c), 70 Stat. 1115; Pub. L. 87–70, title VIII, §§ 801(c), 805(b), June 30, 1961, 75 Stat. 186, 188; Pub. L. 88–560, title V, §§ 501(c), 503(b), Sept. 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 796, 798; Pub. L. 89–117, title X, § 1005(b), Aug. 10, 1965, 79 Stat. 501; Pub. L. 90–448, title X, § 1003, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 553; Pub. L. 91–78, § 1, Sept. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 125; Pub. L. 91–152, title IV, § 413(a), Dec. 24, 1969, 83 Stat. 398; Pub. L. 93–117, § 13(a), Oct. 2, 1973, 87 Stat. 423; Pub. L. 93–383, title V, § 509(a), Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 694; Pub. L. 95–60, § 4(a), June 30, 1977, 91 Stat. 258; Pub. L. 95–80, § 4(a), July 31, 1977, 91 Stat. 340; Pub. L. 95–128, title V, § 501(a), Oct. 12, 1977, 91 Stat. 1138; Pub. L. 95–406, § 7(a), Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 880; Pub. L. 95–557, title V, § 501(a)–(c), Oct. 31, 1978, 92 Stat. 2110, 2111; Pub. L. 95–619, title II, § 232(b), Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3227; Pub. L. 96–71, § 5(a), Sept. 28, 1979, 93 Stat. 502; Pub. L. 96–105, § 5(a), Nov. 8, 1979, 93 Stat. 795; Pub. L. 96–153, title V, § 501(a), Dec. 21, 1979, 93 Stat. 1132; Pub. L. 96–372, § 6(a), Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1364; Pub. L. 96–399, title V, § 501(a), Oct. 8, 1980

CITE AS: 42 USC 1483

§ 1484. Insurance of loans for housing and related facilities for domestic farm labor
(a) Authorization; terms and conditionsThe Secretary is authorized to insure and make commitments to insure loans made by lenders other than the United States to the owner of any farm or any association of farmers for the purpose of providing housing and related facilities for domestic farm labor, or to any Indian tribe for such purpose, or to any State (or political subdivision thereof), or any broad-based public or private nonprofit organization, or any limited partnership in which the general partner is a nonprofit entity, or any nonprofit organization of farmworkers incorporated within the State for the purpose of providing housing and related facilities for domestic farm labor any place within the State where a need exists. All such loans shall be made in accordance with terms and conditions substantially identical with those specified in section 1472 of this title, except that—
(1) no such loan shall be insured in an amount in excess of the value of the farm involved less any prior liens in the case of a loan to an individual owner of a farm, or the total estimated value of the structures and facilities with respect to which the loan is made in the case of any other loan;
(2) no such loan shall be insured if it bears interest at a rate in excess of 1 per centum per anspan;
(3) out of interest payments by the borrower the Secretary shall retain a charge in an amount not less than one-half of 1 per centum per anspan of the unpaid principal balance of the loan;
(4) the insurance contracts and agreements with respect to any loan may contain provisions for servicing the loan by the Secretary or by the lender, and for the purchase by the Secretary of the loan if it is not in default, on such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe; and
(5) the Secretary may take mortgages creating a lien running to the United States for the benefit of the insurance fund referred to in subsection (b) notwithstanding the fact that the note may be held by the lender or his assignee.
(b) Utilization of farm tenant mortgage insurance fund; additions to and deposits in fund; deposits in TreasuryThe Secretary shall utilize the insurance fund created by section 1005a of title 7 1
1 See References in Text note below.
and the provisions of section 1005c(a), (b), and (c) of title 7 1 to discharge obligations under insurance contracts made pursuant to this section, and
(1) the Secretary may utilize the insurance fund to pay taxes, insurance, prior liens, and other expenses to protect the security for loans which have been insured hereunder and to acquire such security property at foreclosure sale or otherwise;
(2) the notes and security therefor acquired by the Secretary under insurance contracts made pursuant to this section shall become a part of the insurance fund. Loans insured under this section may be held in the fund and collected in accordance with their terms or may be sold and reinsured. All proceeds from such collections, including the liquidation of security and the proceeds of sales, shall become a part of the insurance fund; and
(3) of the charges retained by the Secretary out of interest payments by the borrower, amounts not less than one-half of 1 per centum per anspan of the unpaid principal balance of the loan shall be deposited in and become a part of the insurance fund. The remainder of such charges shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States and shall be available for administrative expenses of the Farmers Home Administration, to be transferred annually to and become merged with any appropriation for such expenses.
(c) Insurance contract; obligation of United States; incontestability
(d) Repealed. Pub. L. 96–153, title V, § 501(b), Dec. 21, 1979, 93 Stat. 1133
(e) Administrative expenses
(f) DefinitionsAs used in this section—
(1) the term “housing” means (A) new structures (including household furnishings) suitable for dwelling use by domestic farm labor, and (B) existing structures (including household furnishings) which can be made suitable for dwelling use by domestic farm labor by rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, or improvement;
(2) the term “related facilities” means (A) new structures (including household furnishings) suitable for use as dining halls, community rooms or buildings, or infirmaries, or for other essential services facilities, and (B) existing structures (including household furnishings) which can be made suitable for the above uses by rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, or improvement and (C) land necessary for an adequate site; and
(3) the term “domestic farm labor” means any person (and the family of such person) who receives a substantial portion of his or her income from primary production of agricultural or aquacultural commodities, the handling of agricultural or aquacultural commodities in the unprocessed stage, or the processing of agricultural or aquacultural commodities, without respect to the source of employment, except that—
(A) such person shall be a citizen of the United States, or a person legally admitted for permanent residence, or a person legally admitted to the United States and authorized to work in agriculture;
(B) such term includes any person (and the family of such person) who is retired or disabled, but who was domestic farm labor at the time of retirement or becoming disabled; and
(C) in applying this paragraph with respect to vacant units in farm labor housing, the Secretary shall make units available for occupancy in the following order of priority:
(i) to active farm laborers (and their families);
(ii) to retired or disabled farm laborers (and their families) who were active in the local farm labor market at the time of retiring or becoming disabled; and
(iii) to other retired or disabled farm laborers (and their families).
(g) Waiver of interest rate limitations
(h) Determination of need for assistanceIn making available assistance in any area under this section or section 1486 of this title, the Secretary shall—
(1) in determining the need for the assistance, take into consideration the housing needs only of domestic farm labor, including migrant farmworkers, in the area; and
(2) in determining whether to provide such assistance, make such determination without regard to the extent or nature of other housing needs in the area.
(i) Domestic farm labor housing available for other familiesHousing and related facilities constructed with loans under this section may be used for tenants eligible for occupancy under section 1485 of this title if the Secretary determines that—
(1) there is no longer a need in the area for farm labor housing; or
(2) the need for such housing in the area has diminished to the extent that the purpose of the loan, providing housing for domestic farm labor, can no longer be met.
(j) Carbon monoxide alarm or detectorHousing and related facilities constructed with loans under this section shall contain installed carbon monoxide alarms or detectors that meet or exceed—
(1) the standards described in chapters 9 and 11 of the 2018 publication of the International Fire Code, as published by the International Code Council; or
(2) any other standards as may be adopted by the Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, including any relevant updates to the International Fire Code, through a notice published in the Federal Register.
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 514, as added Pub. L. 87–70, title VIII, § 804(a), June 30, 1961, 75 Stat. 186; amended Pub. L. 88–560, title V, § 502, Sept. 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 796; Pub. L. 90–448, title X, § 1004, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 553; Pub. L. 91–609, title VIII, § 801(a)–(c), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1805, 1806; Pub. L. 95–128, title V, § 505, Oct. 12, 1977, 91 Stat. 1140; Pub. L. 95–557, title V, §§ 501(d), 504, Oct. 31, 1978, 92 Stat. 2111, 2112; Pub. L. 96–153, title V, § 501(b), Dec. 21, 1979, 93 Stat. 1133; Pub. L. 96–399, title V, § 507(b), Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1670; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 510], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1243; Pub. L. 100–242, title III, §§ 305(a), 316(b), Feb. 5, 1988, 101 Stat. 1895, 1897; Pub. L. 100–628, title X, § 1043(a), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3273; Pub. L. 104–180, title VII, § 734(e)(1), Aug. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 1603; Pub. L. 105–276, title V, § 599C(d), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2661; Pub. L. 106–569, title VII, §§ 703, 708(b), Dec. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 3013, 3018; Pub. L. 110–234, title VI, § 6205, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1209; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VI, § 6205, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1971; Pub. L. 115–141, div. A, title III, Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 365; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Q, title I, § 101(f)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2164; Pub. L. 117–328, div. AA, title VI, § 601(e)(1), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5546.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1484

§ 1485. Housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families or other persons and families of low income
(a) Direct loans; authorization; terms and conditions; revolving fund; appropriationThe Secretary is authorized to make loans to private nonprofit corporations and consumer cooperatives and Indian tribes to provide rental or cooperative housing and related facilities for elderly or handicapped persons or families of low or moderate income or other persons and families of low income in rural areas, in accordance with terms and conditions substantially identical with those specified in section 1472 of this title; except that—
(1) no such loan shall exceed the development cost or the value of the security, whichever is less;
(2) such a loan may be made for a period of up to 30 years from the making of the loan; and
(3) such a loan, when made to a consumer cooperative for cooperative housing purposes, may, notwithstanding any other provision of law, be made upon the condition that any person who is admitted as an eligible member and tenant of the cooperative may not subsequently be deprived of his membership or tenancy by reason of his no longer meeting the income eligibility requirements established by the Secretary.
There is authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $50,000,000, which shall constitute a revolving fund to be used by the Secretary in carrying out this subsection.
(b) Insurance of loans; authorization; terms and conditions; utilization of Agricultural Credit Insurance FundThe Secretary is authorized to insure and make commitments to insure loans made to any individual, corporation, association, trust, Indian tribe, or partnership to provide rental or cooperative housing and related facilities for elderly or handicapped persons or families or other persons and families of moderate income in rural areas, in accordance with terms and conditions substantially identical with those specified in section 1472 of this title; except that—
(1) no such loan shall exceed the development cost or the value of the security, whichever is less;
(2) such a loan may be made for a period of up to 30 years from the making of the loan, but the Secretary may provide for periodic payments based on an amortization schedule of 50 years with a final payment of the balance due at the end of the term of the loan;
(3) for insuring such loans, the Secretary shall utilize the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund subject to all the provisions of section 1929 of title 7 and the second and third sentences of section 1928 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of title 7, including the authority in section 1929(f)(1) 1 of title 7 to utilize the insurance fund to make, sell, and insure loans which could be insured under this subsection; but the aggregate of the principal amounts of such loans made by the Secretary and not disposed of shall not exceed $10,000,000 outstanding at any one time; and the Secretary may take liens running to the United States though the notes may be held by other lenders;
(4) such a loan, when made to a consumer cooperative for cooperative housing purposes, may, notwithstanding any other provision of law, be made upon the condition that any person who is admitted as an eligible member and tenant of the cooperative may not subsequently be deprived of his membership or tenancy by reason of his no longer meeting the income eligibility requirements established by the Secretary;
(5) loans may be made to owners who are otherwise eligible under this section to purchase and convert single-family residences to rental units of two or more dwellings; and
(6) the Secretary may make a new loan to the current borrower to finance the final payment of the original loan for an additional period not to exceed twenty years, if—
(A) the Secretary determines—
(i) it is more cost-efficient and serves the tenant base more effectively to maintain the current property than to build a new property in the same location; or
(ii) the property has been maintained to such an extent that it warrants retention in the current portfolio because it can be expected to continue providing decent, safe, and affordable rental units for the balance of the loan; and
(B) the Secretary determines—
(i) current market studies show that a need for low-income rural rental housing still exists for that area; and
(ii) any other criteria established by the Secretary has been met.
(c) Equity recapture loans and loans to nonprofit organizations and public agenciesWith respect to a loan made or insured under subsection (a) or (b), the Secretary is authorized to—
(1) make or insure an equity loan in the form of a supplemental loan for the purpose of equity takeout to the owner of housing financed with a loan made or insured under this section pursuant to a contract entered into before December 15, 1989, for the purpose of extending the affordability of the housing for low income families or persons and very low-income families or persons for not less than 20 years, except that such loan may not exceed 90 percent of the value of the equity in the project as determined by the Secretary;
(2) transfer and reamortize an existing loan in connection with assistance provided under paragraph (1); and
(3) make or insure a loan to enable a nonprofit organization or public agency to make a purchase described in section 1472(c)(5) of this title.
(d) Construction requirements; detached units for cooperative housing
(e) DefinitionsAs used in this section—
(1) the term “housing” means new or existing housing suitable for dwelling use by occupants eligible under this section, and such term also means manufactured home rental parks where either the lots or both the lots and the homes are available for use by occupants eligible under this section; and such term also means congregate housing facilities for elderly or handicapped persons or families who require some supervision and central services but are otherwise able to care for themselves; such housing for the handicapped may be utilized in conjunction with educational and training facilities;
(2) the term “related facilities” includes cafeterias or dining halls, community rooms or buildings, appropriate recreation facilities, and other essential service facilities;
(3) the term “congregate housing” means housing in which (A) some of the units may not have kitchen facilities, and (B) there is a central dining facility to provide wholesome and economic meals for elderly or handicapped persons or families.
(4) the term “development cost” means the costs of constructing, purchasing, improving, altering, or repairing new or existing housing and related facilities and purchasing and improving the necessary land, including necessary and appropriate fees and charges, initial operating expenses up to 2 per centum of the aforementioned costs, approved by the Secretary, impact fees, local charges for installation, provision, or use of infrastructure, and local assessments for public improvements and services imposed by State and local governments. Such fees and charges may include payments of qualified consulting organizations or foundations which operate on a nonprofit basis and which render services or assistance to nonprofit corporations or consumer cooperatives who provide housing and related facilities for low or moderate income families. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this paragraph, the term “development cost” shall not include any initial operating expenses in the case of any nonprofit corporation or consumer cooperative that is financing housing under this section and has been allocated a low-income housing tax credit by a housing credit agency pursuant to section 42 of title 26.
(f) Administrative expenses
(g) Loans for financing transfers of memberships in cooperatives
(h) Project transfers
(1) Condition
After August 6, 1996, the ownership or control of a project for which a loan is made or insured under this section may be transferred only if the Secretary determines that such transfer would further the provision of housing and related facilities for low-income families or persons and would be in the best interests of residents and the Federal Government.
(2) Actions to expedite project approvals
(A) In general
(B) Consultation
(C) Existing requirements
(D) Recommendations
(i) Limitations on cost increases after approval for project involving newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated units; applicable factors
(j) Contract preferences for providing units in newly constructed projects
(k) Management fees
(l) Determination of market feasibility of projectFor purposes of determining the market feasibility of any project to be assisted under this section—
(1) in the case of any applicant who applies for rental assistance payments under section 1490a of this title in connection with such project, the Secretary shall consider the availability of such rental assistance payments with respect to the project and shall require such applicant to demonstrate that a market exists for persons and families eligible for such rental assistance payments; and
(2) in the case of any applicant whose project is expected to utilize any assistance under a program of a State, or political subdivision thereof, that is similar to such assistance payments under section 1490a of this title, the Secretary shall only require such applicant to demonstrate that—
(A) a market exists for persons and families eligible for such program of assistance;
(B) such program of assistance will provide rental assistance for a period of not less than five years, and, at the option of the applicant, either that there is a reasonable assurance that the contract for assistance will be extended or renewed, or for the term of the loan remaining after the period of such assistance, that an adequate rental market exists for the project without such assistance; and
(C) during the term of such rental assistance contracts, such State or political subdivision shall make available the amounts required for such rental assistance not less than annually.
(m) Standards for housing and related facilities rehabilitated or repaired; carbon monoxide detectors
(1) The Secretary shall establish standards for housing and related facilities rehabilitated or repaired with amounts received under a loan made or insured under this section. Standards established by the Secretary under this subsection shall provide that except for substantial rehabilitation the particular items or systems repaired or rehabilitated must meet appropriate levels of quality or performance comparable to those levels prescribed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for rehabilitation, but shall not require that such items or systems or the remainder of the property meet the standards which are applicable to new construction. The Secretary shall ensure that standards prescribed under this subsection provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing and related facilities.
(2) Housing and related facilities rehabilitated or repaired with amounts received under a loan made or insured under this section shall contain installed carbon monoxide alarms or detectors that meet or exceed—
(A) the standards described in chapters 9 and 11 of the 2018 publication of the International Fire Code, as published by the International Code Council; or
(B) any other standards as may be adopted by the Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, including any relevant updates to the International Fire Code, through a notice published in the Federal Register.
(n) Assistance to projects located on more than one site
(o) Rental assistance payments as affecting assistance to projects or occupancy by eligible persons
(p) Occupancy by low income persons and families other than very low-income persons and families
(1) To the extent assistance is available under section 1490a(a)(2) of this title, not more than 25 per centum of the dwelling units which were available for occupancy under this section prior to November 30, 1983, and which will be leased on or after November 30, 1983, shall be available for leasing by low income persons and families other than very low-income persons and families.
(2) To the extent assistance is available under section 1490a(a)(2) of this title, not more than 5 per centum of the dwelling units which become available for occupancy under this section on or after November 30, 1983, shall be available for leasing by low income persons and families other than very low-income persons and families.
(3) Units in projects financed under this section which become available for occupancy after November 30, 1983, shall not be available for occupancy by persons and families other than very low-income persons and families if the authority to provide assistance for such persons is available.
(4) In projects financed under this section, units that have been allocated a low-income housing tax credit by a housing credit agency pursuant to section 42 of title 26 shall not be available for occupancy by persons or families other than persons or families with incomes not in excess of the qualifying income applicable to such units pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 42(g)(1) of title 26.
(5) The Secretary shall coordinate the processing of any application for a loan under this section for a project and the processing of any application for assistance under section 1490a(a)(2) of this title with respect to housing units in the same project in an economical and efficient manner. At the time the Secretary enters into a commitment to make or insure a loan under this section the Secretary shall obligate amounts for assistance payments under section 1490a(a)(2) of this title for the project, to the extent that such amounts are available and the Secretary determines such assistance is necessary for the market feasibility of the project.
(q) Determination of income of person or family occupying financed housing
(r) Operating reserve and equity contribution requirements; regulations to implement adjustment by negotiated rulemaking procedure
(1) the 3
3 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
Secretary—
(A) may require that the initial operating reserve under this section may be in the form of an irrevocable letter of credit; and
(B) except as provided in paragraph (2), may require not more than a 3 percent contribution to equity, except that the Secretary shall require a 5 percent contribution in the case of a project that is allocated a low-income housing tax credit pursuant to section 42 of title 26.
(2) The Secretary may adjust the amount of equity contribution to ensure that assistance provided is not more than is necessary to provide affordable housing after taking account of assistance from all Federal, State, and local sources.
(3) Not later than 60 days after August 6, 1996, the Secretary shall issue regulations to implement subsection (r)(2) in accordance with the negotiated rulemaking procedures set forth in subchapter III of chapter 5 of title 5: Provided, That if the negotiated rulemaking is not completed within the designated time, the Secretary shall proceed to promulgate regulations under the rulemaking authority contained in section 557 of title 5.
(s) Limitation of fees on loans
(t) Equity takeout loans
(1) AuthorityThe Secretary is authorized to guarantee an equity loan (in the form of a supplemental loan) to an owner of housing financed with a loan made or insured under subsection (b), only if the Secretary determines, after taking into account local market conditions, that there is reasonable likelihood that the housing will continue as decent, safe, and sanitary housing for the remaining life of the original loan on the project made or insured under subsection (b) and that such an equity loan is—
(A) necessary to provide a fair return on the owner’s investment in the housing;
(B) the least costly alternative for the Federal Government that is consistent with carrying out the purposes of this subsection; and
(C) would not impose an undue hardship on tenants or an unreasonable cost to the Federal Government.
The amount of loans guaranteed under this subsection shall be subject to limits provided in appropriations Acts.
(2) Timing
(3) Amount of the takeout
(4) Submission of plan
(5) Regulations
(6) Effective date
(u) Reuse of loan authority
(v) Assumption of loans
(w) Set-aside of rural rental housing funds
(1) AuthorityExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall set aside from amounts made available for each State for loans under this section, not less than 9 percent of the amounts available in each fiscal year. Amounts set aside shall be available only for nonprofit entities in the State, which may not be wholly or partially owned or controlled by a for-profit entity. A partnership, that has as its general partner a nonprofit entity or the nonprofit entity’s for-profit subsidiary, is eligible to receive funds set aside under this subsection to sponsor a project which is receiving low-income housing tax credits authorized under section 42 of title 26. For the purposes of this subsection, a nonprofit entity is an organization that—
(A) will own an interest in a project to be financed under this section and will materially participate in the development and the operation of the project;
(B) is a private organization that has nonprofit, tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) or section 501(c)(4) of title 26;
(C) has among its purposes the planning, development, or management of low-income housing or community development projects; and
(D) is not affiliated with or controlled by a for-profit organization.
(2) Minimum State set-aside
(3) Unused amounts
(A) Equitable distribution
(B) Return to the States
(x) Uniform project costs; coordination of housing resources and tax benefitsThe Secretary shall—
(1) establish standard guidelines for State offices that describe allowable development costs which are required for development of all projects under this section, without regard to whether the project was allocated a low-income housing tax credit;
(2) require each State to establish a process for coordinating the selection of projects under this section with the housing needs and priorities as established in a State comprehensive housing affordability strategy under section 12705 of this title and a low-income housing tax credit allocation plan under section 42 of title 26; and
(3) develop, in consultation with housing credit agencies (as that term is defined under section 42 of title 26), uniform procedures for identifying and sharing information on project costs, builder profit, identity of interests relationships, and other factors, as appropriate, with the relevant housing credit agency for projects that are allocated a low-income housing tax credit pursuant to section 42(h) of title 26 for the purpose of achieving compliance with section 3545(d) of this title.
(y) Service coordinators
(1) GrantsThe Secretary may make grants under this subsection, with respect to any project that the Secretary determines has a sufficient number of frail elderly residents, for the cost of employing or otherwise retaining the services of one or more individuals to coordinate services provided to frail elderly residents of the project (in this subsection referred to as a “service coordinator”), who shall be responsible for—
(A) assessing the supportive service needs of frail elderly residents of the project, based on objective criteria and interviews with such residents;
(B) working with service providers to design the provision of services to meet the needs of frail elderly residents of the project, taking into consideration the needs and desires of such residents and their ability and willingness to pay for such services, as expressed by the residents;
(C) mobilizing public and private resources to obtain funding for such services for such residents;
(D) monitoring and evaluating the impact and effectiveness of any supportive services provided for such residents;
(E) consulting and coordinating with any appropriate public and private agencies regarding the provision of supportive services; and
(F) performing such other duties that the Secretary deems appropriate to enable frail elderly persons residing in federally assisted housing to live with dignity and independence.
(2) Qualifications
(3) Application and selection
(4) “Frail elderly” defined
(z) Accounting and recordkeeping requirements
(1) Accounting standards
(2) Record retention requirements
(aa) Double damages for unauthorized use of housing projects assets and income
(1) Action to recover assets or income
(A) In general
(B) Improper documentation
(C) DefinitionFor the purposes of this subsection, the term “person” means—
(i) any individual or entity that borrows funds in accordance with programs authorized by this section;
(ii) any individual or entity holding 25 percent or more interest of any entity that borrows funds in accordance with programs authorized by this section; and
(iii) any officer, director, or partner of an entity that borrows funds in accordance with programs authorized by this section.
(2) Amount recoverable
(A) In general
(B) Application of recovered funds
(3) Time limitation
(4) Continued availability of other remedies
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 515, as added Pub. L. 87–723, § 4(b), Sept. 28, 1962, 76 Stat. 671; amended Pub. L. 88–340, June 30, 1964, 78 Stat. 233; Pub. L. 88–560, title V, § 501(d) Sept. 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 796; Pub. L. 89–117, title X, § 1005(c), Aug. 10, 1965, 79 Stat. 501; Pub. L. 89–754, title VIII, §§ 804, 805, Nov. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 1282; Pub. L. 91–78, § 1, Sept. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 125; Pub. L. 91–152, title IV, § 413(a), Dec. 24, 1969, 83 Stat. 398; Pub. L. 91–609, title VIII, § 803(c), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1807; Pub. L. 93–117, § 13(b), Oct. 2, 1973, 87 Stat. 423; Pub. L. 93–383, title V, §§ 509(b), 510, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 695; Pub. L. 95–60, § 4(b), June 30, 1977, 91 Stat. 258; Pub. L. 95–80, § 4(b), July 31, 1977, 91 Stat. 340; Pub. L. 95–128, title V, §§ 501(b), 507(a)(3), 508, Oct. 12, 1977, 91 Stat. 1138, 1140, 1141; Pub. L. 95–406, § 7(b), Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 881; Pub. L. 95–557, title V, § 501(e), Oct. 31, 1978, 92 Stat. 2111; Pub. L. 96–71, § 5(b), Sept. 28, 1979, 93 Stat. 502; Pub. L. 96–105, § 5(b), Nov. 8, 1979, 93 Stat. 795; Pub. L. 96–153, title V, § 501(f), Dec. 21, 1979, 93 Stat. 1134; Pub. L. 96–372, § 6(b), Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1364; Pub. L. 96–399, title V, §§ 501(b), 502, 503, 507(c), Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1668, 1670; Pub. L. 97–35, title III, § 351(b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 420; Pub. L. 97–289, § 3(a), Oct. 6, 1982, 96 Stat. 1231; Pub. L. 98–35, § 3(a), May 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 198; Pub. L. 98–109, § 4(a), Oct. 1, 1983, 97 Stat. 746; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, §§ 511(b), 512], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1244; Pub. L. 98–479, title I, § 105(e), Oct. 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 2227; Pub. L. 99–120, § 3(a), Oct. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 503; Pub. L. 99–156, § 3(a), Nov. 15, 1985, 99 Stat. 816; Pub. L. 99–219, § 3(a), Dec. 26, 1985, 99 Stat. 1731; Pub. L. 99–267, § 3(a), Mar. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 74; Pub. L. 99–272, title III, § 3009(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 105; Pub. L. 99–289, § 1(b), May 2, 1986, 100 Stat. 412; Pub. L. 99–345, § 1, June 24, 1986, 100 Stat. 673; Pub. L. 99–430, Sept. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 986; Pub. L. 100–122, § 1, Sept. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 793; Pub. L. 100–154, Nov. 5, 1987, 101 Stat. 890; Pub. L. 100–170, Nov. 17, 1987, 101 Stat. 914

CITE AS: 42 USC 1485

§ 1486. Financial assistance to provide low-rent housing for domestic farm labor
(a) Application; considerationsUpon the application of any State or political subdivision thereof, or any Indian tribe, or any broad-based public or private nonprofit organization incorporated within the State, or any nonprofit organization of farmworkers incorporated within the State, the Secretary is authorized to provide financial assistance for the provision of low-rent housing and related facilities (which may be located any place within the State) for domestic farm labor, if he finds that—
(1) the housing and related facilities for which financial assistance is requested will fulfill a pressing need in the area in which such housing and facilities will be located, and there is reasonable doubt that the same can be provided without financial assistance under this section;
(2) the applicant will contribute, from its own resources or from funds borrowed under section 1484 of this title or elsewhere, at least 10 per centum of the total development cost;
(3) the types of housing and related facilities to be provided are most practicable, giving due consideration to the purposes to be served thereby and the needs of the occupants thereof, and such housing and facilities shall be durable and suitable for year-around occupancy or use, unless the Secretary finds that there is no need for such year-around occupancy or use in that area; and
(4) the construction will be undertaken in an economical manner, and the housing and related facilities will not be of elaborate or extravagant design or material.
(b) Maximum amount of assistance
(c) Prerequisite agreements; rentals; safety and sanitation standards; priority of domestic farm laborNo financial assistance for low-rent housing and related facilities shall be made available under this section unless, to any extent and for any periods required by the Secretary, the applicant agrees—
(1) that the rentals charged domestic farm labor shall not exceed such amounts as may be approved by the Secretary, giving due consideration to the income and earning capacity of the tenants, and the necessary costs of operating and maintaining such housing;
(2) that such housing shall be maintained at all times in a safe and sanitary condition in accordance with such standards as may be prescribed by State or local law, or, in the absence of such standards, in accordance with such minimum requirements as the Secretary shall prescribe; and
(3) an absolute priority will be given at all times in granting occupancy of such housing and facilities to domestic farm labor.
(d) Payments; contracts to specify uses of housing
(e) Regulations for prevention of waste
(f) Wages; labor standards; waiver; authority and functions of Secretary
(g) DefinitionsAs used in this section—
(1) the term “low-rent housing” means rental housing within the financial reach of families of low income consisting of (A) new structures (including household furnishings) suitable for dwelling use by domestic farm labor, and (B) existing structures (including household furnishings) which can be made suitable for dwelling use by domestic farm labor by rehabilitation, alteration, conversion, or improvement;
(2) the terms “related facilities” and “domestic farm labor” shall have the meaning assigned to them in section 1484(f) of this title;
(3) the term “development cost” shall have the meaning assigned to it in section 1485(d)(4) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title; and
(4) the term “domestic farm labor” has the meaning given such term in section 1484(f)(3) of this title.
(h) Migrant farmworker housing
(i) Farm labor housing
(j) Domestic farm labor housing available for other familiesHousing and related facilities constructed with grants under this section may be used for tenants eligible for occupancy under section 1485 of this title if the Secretary determines that—
(1) there is no longer a need in the area for farm labor housing; or
(2) the need for such housing in the area has diminished to the extent that the purpose of the grant, providing housing for domestic farm labor, can no longer be met.
(k) Housing for rural homeless and migrant farmworkers
(1) In general
(2) Types of assistance
(A) In generalThe Secretary may provide the following assistance for housing under this subsection:
(i) An advance, in an amount not to exceed $400,000, of the cost of acquisition, substantial rehabilitation, or acquisition and rehabilitation of an existing structure or construction of a new structure for use in the provision of housing under this subsection. The repayment of any outstanding debt owed on a loan made to purchase an existing structure shall be considered to be a cost of acquisition eligible for an advance under this subparagraph if the structure was not used for the purposes under this subsection prior to the receipt of assistance.
(ii) A grant, in an amount not to exceed $400,000, for moderate rehabilitation of an existing structure for use in the provision of housing under this subsection.
(iii) Annual payments for operating costs of such housing (without regard to whether the housing is an existing structure), not to exceed 75 percent of the annual operating costs of such housing.
(B) Available assistance
(C) Repayment of advance
(D) Prevention of undue benefits
(3) Program requirements
(A) Applications
(i) Applications for assistance under this subsection shall be submitted by an applicant in such form and in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary shall establish.
(ii) The Secretary shall require that applications contain at a minimum (I) a description of the proposed housing, (II) a description of the size and characteristics of the population that would occupy the housing, (III) a description of any public and private resources that are expected to be made available in connection with the housing, (IV) a description of the housing needs for migrant farmworkers and homeless individuals (and the families of such individuals) in the area to be served by the housing, and (V) assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the housing assisted will be operated for not less than 10 years for the purpose specified in the application.
(iii) The Secretary shall require that an application furnish reasonable assurances that the housing will be available for occupancy by homeless individuals (and the families of such individuals) only on an emergency and temporary basis during the offseason and shall be otherwise available for occupancy by migrant farmworkers (and their families).
(iv) The Secretary shall require that an application furnish reasonable assurances that the applicant will own or have control of a site for the proposed housing not later than 6 months after notification of an award for grant assistance. An applicant may obtain ownership or control of a suitable site different from the site specified in the application. If an applicant fails to obtain ownership or control of the site within 1 year after notification of an award for grant assistance, the grant shall be recaptured and reallocated.
(B) Selection criteriaThe Secretary shall establish selection criteria for a national competition for assistance under this subsection, which shall include—
(i) the ability of the applicant to develop and operate the housing;
(ii) the feasibility of the proposal in providing the housing;
(iii) the need for such housing in the area to be served;
(iv) the cost effectiveness of the proposed housing;
(v) the extent to which the project would meet the needs of migrant farmworkers and homeless individuals (and the families of such individuals) in the State;
(vi) the extent to which the applicant has control of the site of the proposed housing; and
(vii) such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate for purposes of this subsection.
(C) Required agreementsThe Secretary may not approve assistance for any housing under this subsection unless the applicant agrees—
(i) to operate the proposed project as housing for migrant farmworkers and homeless individuals (and the families of such individuals) in compliance with the provisions of this subsection and the application approved by the Secretary;
(ii) to monitor and report to the Secretary on the progress of the housing; and
(iii) to comply with such other terms and conditions as the Secretary may establish for purposes of this subsection.
(D) Occupant rent
(4) Guidelines
(A) Regulations
(B) Limitation on use of funds
(5) Limitation on administrative expenses
(6) Omitted
(7) DefinitionsFor purposes of this subsection:
(A) The term “applicant” means a State, political subdivision thereof, Indian tribe, any private nonprofit organization incorporated within the State that has applied for a grant under this subsection.
(B) The term “homeless individual” has the same meaning given the term under section 11302 of this title.
(C) The term “migrant farmworker”—
(i) means any person (and the family of such person) who (I) receives a substantial portion of his or her income from primary production of agricultural or aquacultural commodities, the handling of such commodities in the unprocessed stage, or the processing of such commodities, without respect to the source of employment, and (II) establishes residence in a location on a seasonal or temporary basis, in an attempt to receive an income as described in subclause (I); and
(ii) includes any person (and the family of such person) who is retired or disabled, but who met the requirements of clause (i) at the time of retirement or becoming disabled.
(D) The term “operating costs” means expenses incurred by a recipient providing housing under this subsection with respect to the administration, maintenance, repair, and security of such housing and utilities, fuel, furnishings, and equipment for such housing.
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 516, as added Pub. L. 88–560, title V, § 503(a), Sept. 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 796; amended Pub. L. 91–609, title VIII, § 801(c), (d), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1806; Pub. L. 95–557, title V, § 505, Oct. 31, 1978, 92 Stat. 2112; Pub. L. 96–153, title V, § 509, Dec. 21, 1979, 93 Stat. 1136; Pub. L. 96–399, title V, § 507(d), Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1670; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 513], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1247; Pub. L. 100–242, title III, § 305(b), Feb. 5, 1988, 101 Stat. 1895; Pub. L. 100–628, title X, § 1043(b), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3273; Pub. L. 101–625, title VII, § 714(a), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4292; Pub. L. 106–400, § 2, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1675; Pub. L. 117–328, div. AA, title VI, § 601(f), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5548.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1486

§ 1487. Rural Housing Insurance Fund
(a) Authority to make and insure loans for housing and buildings on adequate farms; amounts
(b) Authority to make and insure loans for housing and related facilities for domestic farm labor and elderly persons; transfer of notes, contracts, and mortgages from Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund; compensation
(c) Use of funds from Rural Housing Insurance Fund for loans; sale of insured and guaranteed loans to public
(d) Authority to insure payment of interest and principal; liens; assignability of notes evidencing loans; interest subsidy on insured and guaranteed loans offered for sale to public; protection of borrowers under loans sold to public
(1) The Secretary may, in conformity with subsections (a), (b), and (m), insure the payment of principal and interest on loans made by lenders other than the United States, and on loans made from or otherwise acquired by the Rural Housing Insurance Fund which are sold by the Secretary. Any contract of insurance executed by the Secretary hereunder shall be an obligation supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, and shall be incontestable except for fraud or material misrepresentation of which the holder has actual knowledge. In connection with loans insured under this section, the Secretary may take liens running to the United States notwithstanding the fact that the notes evidencing such loans may be held by lenders other than the United States. Notes evidencing such loans shall be freely assignable, but the Secretary shall not be bound by any such assignment until notice thereof is given to and acknowledged by him.
(2) Each loan made by the Secretary or other lenders under this subchapter that is insured or guaranteed in accordance with this subsection shall, when offered for sale to the public, be accompanied by an agreement by the Secretary to pay to the holder of such loan (through an agreement to purchase such loan or through such other means as the Secretary determines to be appropriate) the difference between the rate of interest paid by the borrower of such loan and the market rate of interest (as determined by the Secretary) on obligations having comparable periods to maturity on the date of such sale.
(3) Each loan made by the Secretary or other lenders under this subchapter that is insured or guaranteed in accordance with this subsection shall, when offered for sale to the public, be accompanied by agreements for the benefit of the borrower under the loan that provide that—
(A) the purchaser or any assignee of the loan shall not diminish any substantive or procedural right of the borrower arising under this subchapter;
(B) upon any substantial default of the borrower, but prior to foreclosure, the loan shall be assigned to the Secretary for the purpose of avoiding foreclosure; and
(C) following any assignment under subparagraph (B) and before commencing any action to foreclose or otherwise dispossess the borrower, the Secretary shall afford the borrower all substantive and procedural rights arising under this subchapter, including consideration for interest subsidy, moratorium, reamortization, refinancing, and appeal of any adverse decision to an impartial officer.
(4) From the proceeds of loan sales under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall set aside as a reserve against future losses not less than 5 percent of the outstanding face amount of the loans held by the public at any time.
(e) Rural Housing Insurance Fund; creation; authorization of appropriations; separate operation of guaranteed and insured loan programs: transfer of funds
(f) Investment of excess Fund moneys
(g) Fund assets and liabilities; sale of loans; agreements for servicing and purchasing loans
(h) Issuance of notes; form and denominations; interest rate; purchase by Secretary of the Treasury; debt transactions
(i) Retention of annual charge; administrative expenses; merger of funds
(j) Additional uses of Fund moneysThe Secretary may also utilize the Fund—
(1) to pay amounts to which the holder of the note is entitled in accordance with an insurance or sale agreement under this section accruing between the date of any payment by the borrower to the Secretary and the date of transmittal of any such payments to the holder of the note; and in the discretion of the Secretary, payments other than final payments need not be remitted to the holder until due or until the next agreed annual or semiannual remittance date;
(2) to pay the holder of any note insured under this section any defaulted installment or, upon assignment of the note to the Secretary at the Secretary’s request, or pursuant to a purchase agreement, the entire balance outstanding on the note;
(3) to pay taxes, insurance, prior liens, expenses necessary to make fiscal adjustments in connection with the application and transmittal of collections or necessary to obtain credit reports on applicants or borrowers, and other services customary in the industry, independent audits of project expenses, construction inspections, commercial appraisals, servicing of loans, and other related program services and expenses, and other expenses and advances to protect the security for loans which are insured under this section or held in the Fund, and to acquire such security property at foreclosure sale or otherwise;
(4) to make assistance payments authorized by section 1490a(a) of this title;
(5) after October 1, 1977, and as approved in appropriations Acts, to make advances authorized by section 1471(e) of this title;
(6) to make payments and take other actions in accordance with agreements entered into under paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (d); and
(7) to provide advances and assistance required to carry out paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 1472(c) of this title.
(k) Sale of loans as sale of assets
(l) Commitments to make or insure loans to lenders, builders, or sellers; terms and conditions
(m) Transfer of assets, liabilities, and authorizations of Rural Housing Direct Loan Account to Fund; abolition of Account; applicability of provisions
(n) Purchase of eligible residential properties
(o) Rules to encourage rehabilitation or purchase of existing buildings; regulations to facilitate marketability of insured or guaranteed loans in secondary mortgage market
(1) The Secretary shall promulgate rules which encourage the rehabilitation or purchase of existing buildings for the purpose of providing housing which is economical in cost and operation.
(2) Not later than the expiration of the 90-day period following April 7, 1986, the Secretary shall issue regulations to facilitate the marketability in the secondary mortgage market of loans insured or guaranteed under this section. Such regulations shall ensure that such loans are competitive with other loans and mortgages insured or guaranteed by the Federal Government.
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 517, as added Pub. L. 89–117, title X, § 1003(a), Aug. 10, 1965, 79 Stat. 498; amended Pub. L. 89–754, title VIII, § 806, Nov. 3, 1966, 80 Stat. 1282; Pub. L. 91–78, § 1, Sept. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 125; Pub. L. 91–152, title IV, § 413(a)–(e)(2), (f)(2), Dec. 24, 1969, 83 Stat. 398–400; Pub. L. 91–609, title VIII, § 803(d), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1807; Pub. L. 93–117, § 13(c), Oct. 2, 1973, 87 Stat. 423; Pub. L. 93–383, title V, §§ 505(c), 509(b), 514(c), 516(b), 517, 519(b), Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 694–696, 698, 699; Pub. L. 95–60, § 4(c), June 30, 1977, 91 Stat. 258; Pub. L. 95–80, § 4(c), July 31, 1977, 91 Stat. 340; Pub. L. 95–128, title V, §§ 501(c), 502(b), (c), 506, 509, Oct. 12, 1977, 91 Stat. 1139–1141; Pub. L. 95–406, § 7(c), Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 881; Pub. L. 95–557, title V, §§ 501(f), 506(b), Oct. 31, 1978, 92 Stat. 2111, 2113; Pub. L. 96–71, § 5(c), Sept. 28, 1979, 93 Stat. 502; Pub. L. 96–105, § 5(c), Nov. 8, 1979, 93 Stat. 795; Pub. L. 96–153, title V, §§ 501(g), 511, Dec. 21, 1979, 93 Stat. 1134, 1137; Pub. L. 96–372, § 6(c), Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1364; Pub. L. 96–399, title V, §§ 501(c), 511, Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1668, 1671; Pub. L. 97–35, title III, § 351(c), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 421; Pub. L. 97–289, § 3(b), Oct. 6, 1982, 96 Stat. 1231; Pub. L. 98–35, § 3(b), May 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 198; Pub. L. 98–109, § 4(b), Oct. 1, 1983, 97 Stat. 746; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, §§ 511(c), 514], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1244, 1247; Pub. L. 98–479, title I, § 105(f), title II, § 203(d)(5), (6), Oct. 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 2227, 2230; Pub. L. 99–272, title III, § 3006, Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 103; Pub. L. 100–242, title II, § 243, Feb. 5, 1988, 101 Stat. 1890; Pub. L. 101–73, title V, § 501(e)(2), Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 394; Pub. L. 102–550, title VII, § 707(g), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3839.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1487

§ 1488. Repealed. Pub. L. 91–152, title IV, § 413(e)(3), Dec. 24, 1969, 83 Stat. 399

CITE AS: 42 USC 1488

§ 1489. Transfer of excess funds out of Rural Housing Insurance Fund

Any sums in the Rural Housing Insurance Fund which the Secretary determines are in excess of amounts needed to meet the obligations and carry out the purposes of such Fund shall be returned to miscellaneous receipts of the Treasury.

(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 519, as added Pub. L. 89–117, title X, § 1006, Aug. 10, 1965, 79 Stat. 501; amended Pub. L. 91–152, title IV, § 413(e)(4), Dec. 24, 1969, 83 Stat. 399.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1489

§ 1490. “Rural” and “rural area” defined

As used in this subchapter, the terms “rural” and “rural area” mean any open country, or any place, town, village, or city which is not (except in the cases of Pajaro, in the State of California, and Guadalupe, in the State of Arizona) part of or associated with an urban area and which (1) has a population not in excess of 2,500 inhabitants, or (2) has a population in excess of 2,500 but not in excess of 10,000 if it is rural in character, or (3) has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 20,000, and (A) is not contained within a standard metropolitan statistical area, and (B) has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families, as determined by the Secretary and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. For purposes of this subchapter, any area classified as “rural” or a “rural area” prior to October 1, 1990, and determined not to be “rural” or a “rural area” as a result of data received from or after the 1990, 2000, 2010, or 2020 decennial census, and any area deemed to be a “rural area” for purposes of this subchapter under any other provision of law at any time during the period beginning January 1, 2000, and ending December 31, 2020, shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2030, if such area has a population in excess of 10,000 but not in excess of 35,000, is rural in character, and has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the city of Plainview, Texas, shall be considered a rural area for purposes of this subchapter, and the city of Altus, Oklahoma, shall be considered a rural area for purposes of this subchapter until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2000.

(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 520, as added Pub. L. 89–117, title X, § 1007, Aug. 10, 1965, 79 Stat. 502; amended Pub. L. 91–609, title VIII, § 803(e), Dec. 31, 1970, 84 Stat. 1807; Pub. L. 93–383, title V, § 511, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 695; Pub. L. 94–375, § 25(b), Aug. 3, 1976, 90 Stat. 1078; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 515], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1247; Pub. L. 98–479, title I, § 105(g), Oct. 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 2227; Pub. L. 99–120, § 3(b), Oct. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 503; Pub. L. 99–156, § 3(b), Nov. 15, 1985, 99 Stat. 816; Pub. L. 99–219, § 3(b), Dec. 26, 1985, 99 Stat. 1731; Pub. L. 99–267, § 3(b), Mar. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 74; Pub. L. 99–272, title III, § 3009(b), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 105; Pub. L. 99–289, § 1(b), May 2, 1986, 100 Stat. 412; Pub. L. 99–345, § 1, June 24, 1986, 100 Stat. 673; Pub. L. 99–430, Sept. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 986; Pub. L. 100–122, § 1, Sept. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 793; Pub. L. 100–154, Nov. 5, 1987, 101 Stat. 890; Pub. L. 100–170, Nov. 17, 1987, 101 Stat. 914; Pub. L. 100–179, Dec. 3, 1987, 101 Stat. 1018; Pub. L. 100–200, Dec. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 1327; Pub. L. 100–242, title III, § 308, Feb. 5, 1988, 101 Stat. 1896; Pub. L. 101–137, § 7(b), Nov. 3, 1989, 103 Stat. 826; Pub. L. 101–625, title VII, § 715(a), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4296; Pub. L. 102–550, title VII, § 709, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3840; Pub. L. 105–276, title V, § 599H(g), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2669; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(4) [div. A, § 102], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–172; Pub. L. 106–569, title VII, § 705, Dec. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 3015; Pub. L. 113–79, title VI, § 6208, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 861; Pub. L. 115–334, title VI, § 6305, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4752.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490

§ 1490a. Loans to provide occupant owned, rental, and cooperative housing for low and moderate income, elderly or handicapped persons or families
(a) Interest rates; additional assistance; payments to owners; rent limitations
(1)
(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 1472, 1487(a) and 1485 of this title, loans to persons of low or moderate income under section 1472 or 1487(a)(1) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title, loans under section 1485 of this title to provide rental or cooperative housing and related facilities for persons and families of low or moderate income or elderly or handicapped persons or families and loans under section 1490f of this title to provide condominium housing for persons and families of low or moderate income, shall bear interest at a rate prescribed by the Secretary at not less than a rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury upon the request of the Secretary taking into consideration the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods to maturity comparable to the average maturities of such loans, adjusted to the nearest one-eighth of 1 per centum. Any loan guaranteed under this subchapter shall bear interest at such rate as may be agreed upon by the borrower and the lender.
(B) From the interest rate so determined, the Secretary may provide the borrower with assistance in the form of credits so as to reduce the effective interest rate to a rate not less than 1 per centum per anspan for such periods of time as the Secretary may determine for applicants described in subparagraph (A) if without such assistance such applicants could not afford the dwelling or make payments on the indebtedness of the rental or cooperative housing. In the case of assistance provided under this subparagraph with respect to a loan under section 1472 of this title, the Secretary may not reduce, cancel, or refuse to renew the assistance due to an increase in the adjusted income of the borrower if the reduction, cancellation, or nonrenewal will cause the borrower to be unable to reasonably afford the resulting payments required under the loan.
(C) For persons of low income under section 1472 or 1487(a) of this title who the Secretary determines are unable to afford a dwelling with the assistance provided under subparagraph (B) and when the Secretary determines that assisted rental housing programs (as authorized under this subchapter, the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.], and the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.]) would be unsuitable in the area in which such persons reside, the Secretary may provide additional assistance, pursuant to amounts approved in appropriation Acts and for such periods of time as the Secretary may determine, which may be in an amount not to exceed the difference between (i) the amount determined by the Secretary to be necessary to pay the principal indebtedness, interest, taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance, and (ii) 25 per centum of the income of such applicant. The amount of such additional assistance which may be approved in appropriation Acts may not exceed an aggregate amount of $100,000,000. Such additional assistance may not be so approved with respect to any fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 1981.
(D)
(i) With respect to borrowers under section 1472 or 1487(a) of this title who have received assistance under subparagraph (B) or (C), the Secretary shall provide for the recapture of all or a portion of such assistance rendered upon the disposition or nonoccupancy of the property by the borrower. In providing for such recapture, the Secretary shall make provisions to provide incentives for the borrower to maintain the property in a marketable condition. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any such assistance whenever rendered shall constitute a debt secured by the security instruments given by the borrower to the Secretary to the extent that the Secretary may provide for recapture of such assistance.
(ii) In determining the amount recaptured under this subparagraph with respect to any loan made pursuant to section 1472(a)(3) of this title for the purchase of a dwelling located on land owned by a community land trust, the Secretary shall determine any appreciation of the dwelling based on any agreement between the borrower and the community land trust that limits the sale price or appreciation of the dwelling.
(E) Except for Federal or State laws relating to taxation, the assistance rendered to any borrower under subparagraphs (B) and (C) shall not be considered to be income or resources for any purpose under any Federal or State laws including, but not limited to, laws relating to welfare and public assistance programs.
(F) Loans subject to the interest rates and assistance provided under this paragraph (1) may be made only when the Secretary determines the needs of the applicant for necessary housing cannot be met with financial assistance from other sources including assistance under the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.] and the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.].
(G) Interest on loans under section 1472 or 1487(a) of this title to victims of a natural disaster shall not exceed the rate which would be applicable to such loans under section 1472 of this title without regard to this section.
(2)
(A) The Secretary shall make and insure loans under this section and sections 1484, 1485, and 1487 of this title to provide rental or cooperative housing and related facilities for persons and families of low income in multifamily housing projects, and shall make, and contract to make, assistance payments to the owners of such rental, congregate, or cooperative housing in order to make available to low-income occupants of such housing rentals at rates commensurate to income and not exceeding the highest of (i) 30 per centum of monthly adjusted income, (ii) 10 per centum of monthly income, or (iii) if the person or family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from a public agency, the portion of such payments which is specifically designated by such agency to meet the person’s or family’s housing costs. Any rent or contribution of any recipient shall not increase as a result of this section or any other provision of Federal law or regulation by more than 10 per centum during any twelve-month period, unless the increase above 10 per centum is attributable to increases in income which are unrelated to this subsection or other law or regulation.
(B) The owner of any project assisted under this paragraph or paragraph (5) shall be required to provide at least annually a budget of operating expenses and record of tenants’ income. The budget (and the income, in the case of a project assisted under this paragraph) shall be used to determine the amount of the assistance for each project.
(C) The project owner shall accumulate, safeguard, and periodically pay to the Secretary any rental charges collected in excess of basic rental charges as established by the Secretary in conformity with subparagraph (A). These funds may be credited to the appropriation and used by the Secretary for making such assistance payments through the end of the next fiscal year. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, excess funds received from tenants in projects financed under section 1485 of this title during a fiscal year shall be available during the next succeeding fiscal year, together with funds provided under subparagraph (D), to the extent approved in appropriations Acts, to make assistance payments to reduce rent overburden on behalf of tenants of any such project whose rents exceed the levels referred to in subparagraph (A). In providing assistance to relieve rent overburden, the Secretary shall provide assistance with respect to very low-income and low-income families to reduce housing rentals to the levels specified in subparagraph (A).
(D) The Secretary, to the extent approved in appropriation Acts, may enter into rental assistance contracts aggregating not more than $398,000,000 in carrying out subparagraph (A) with respect to the fiscal year ending on
(E) In order to assist elderly or handicapped persons or families who elect to live in a shared housing arrangement in which they benefit as a result of sharing the facilities of a dwelling with others in a manner that effectively and efficiently meets their housing needs and thereby reduces their cost of housing, the Secretary shall permit rental assistance to be used by such persons or families if the shared housing arrangement is in a single-family dwelling. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall prescribe minimum habitability standards to assure decent, safe, and sanitary housing for such families while taking into account the special circumstances of shared housing.
(3)
(A) In the case of loans under sections 1484 and 1485 of this title approved prior to the effective date of this paragraph with respect to which rental assistance is provided, the rent for tenants receiving such assistance shall not exceed the highest of (i) 30 per centum of monthly adjusted income, (ii) 10 per centum of monthly income, or (iii) if the person or family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from a public agency, the portion of such payments which is specifically designated by such agency to meet the person’s or family’s housing costs.
(B) In the case of a section 1485 loan approved prior to the effective date of this paragraph with respect to which interest credits are provided, the tenant’s rent shall not exceed the highest of (i) 30 per centum of monthly adjusted income, (ii) 10 per centum of monthly income, or (iii) if the person or family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from a public agency, the portion of such payments which is specifically designated by such agency to meet the person’s or family’s housing costs, or, where no rental assistance authority is available, the rent level established on a basis of a 1 per centum interest rate on debt service.
(C) No rent for a unit financed under section 1484 or 1485 of this title shall be increased as a result of this subsection or other provision of Federal law or Federal regulation by more than 10 per centum in any twelve-month period, unless the increase above 10 per centum is attributable to increases in income which are unrelated to this subsection or other law, or regulation.
(4) In the case of a loan with respect to the purchase of a manufactured home with respect to which rental assistance is provided, the monthly payment for principal and interest on the manufactured home and for lot rental and utilities shall not exceed the highest of (A) 30 per centum of monthly adjusted income, (B) 10 per centum of monthly income, or (C) if the person or family is receiving payments for welfare assistance from a public agency, the portion of such payments which is specifically designated by such agency to meet the person’s or family’s housing costs.
(5)Operating assistance for migrant farmworker projects.—
(A)Authority.—In the case of housing (and related facilities) for migrant farmworkers provided or assisted with a loan under section 1484 of this title or a grant under section 1486 of this title, the Secretary may, at the request of the owner of the project, use amounts provided for rental assistance payments under paragraph (2) to provide assistance for the costs of operating the project. Any tenant or unit assisted under this paragraph may not receive rental assistance under paragraph (2).
(B)Amount.—In any fiscal year, the assistance provided under this paragraph for any project shall not exceed an amount equal to 90 percent of the operating costs for the project for the year, as determined by the Secretary. The amount of assistance to be provided for a project under this paragraph shall be an amount that makes units in the project available to migrant farmworkers in the area of the project at rates not exceeding 30 percent of the monthly adjusted incomes of such farmworkers, based on the prevailing incomes of such farmworkers in the area.
(C)Submission of information.—The owner of a project assisted under this paragraph shall be required to provide to the Secretary, at least annually, a budget of operating expenses and estimated rental income, which the Secretary may use to determine the amount of assistance for the project.
(D)Definitions.—For purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions shall apply:
(i) The term “migrant farmworker” has the same meaning given such term in section 1486(k)(7) of this title.
(ii) The term “operating cost” means expenses incurred in operating a project, including expenses for—(I) administration, maintenance, repair, and security of the project;(II) utilities, fuel, furnishings, and equipment for the project; and(III) maintaining adequate reserve funds for the project.
(b) Location in rural areas; inclusion of qualified nonrural residents who will become rural residents
(c) Reimbursement of Rural Housing Insurance Fund
(d) Rental assistance contract authority; preconditions, limitations, etc.
(1) In utilizing the rental assistance payments authority pursuant to subsection (a)(2)—
(A) the Secretary shall make such assistance available in existing projects for units occupied by low income families or persons to extend expiring contracts or to provide additional assistance when necessary to provide the full amount authorized pursuant to existing contracts;
(B) any such authority remaining after carrying out subparagraph (A) shall be used in projects receiving commitments under section 1484, 1485, or 1486 of this title after fiscal year 1983 for contracts to assist very low-income families or persons to occupy the units in such projects, except that not more than 5 percent of the units assisted may be occupied by low income families or persons who are not very low-income families or persons; and
(C) any such authority remaining after carrying out subparagraphs (A) and (B) may be used to provide further assistance to existing projects under section 1484, 1485, or 1486 of this title.
(2) The Secretary shall transfer rental assistance contract authority under this section from projects where such authority is unused after initial rentup and not needed because of a lack of eligible tenants in the area to projects where such authority is needed.
(e) Increases in rent or contribution of any recipient
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 521, as added Pub. L. 90–448, title X, § 1001, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 551; amended Pub. L. 93–383, title V, §§ 514(a), (b), 516(c), Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 696, 698; Pub. L. 94–375, § 25(a), Aug. 3, 1976, 90 Stat. 1078; Pub. L. 95–128, title V, §§ 502(d), 507(a)(4), (5), 511, Oct. 12, 1977, 91 Stat. 1139, 1140, 1142; Pub. L. 95–557, title V, §§ 506(a), 507, Oct. 31, 1978, 92 Stat. 2112, 2113; Pub. L. 96–153, title V, §§ 501(c), 502(a), 504, Dec. 21, 1979, 93 Stat. 1133–1135; Pub. L. 96–372, § 6(d), Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1364; Pub. L. 96–399, title V, §§ 501(e), (f), 505, Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1668, 1669; Pub. L. 97–35, title III, §§ 351(d), 352, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 421; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, §§ 516, 517(a)–(c), (e)], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1247–1249; Pub. L. 98–479, title I, § 105(h), Oct. 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 2227; Pub. L. 100–242, title III, §§ 309, 316(d), Feb. 5, 1988, 101 Stat. 1896, 1898; Pub. L. 101–625, title VII, § 716, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4296; Pub. L. 102–550, title VII, § 702(b), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3834; Pub. L. 105–276, title V, § 599C(e)(1), (e)(2)(D)–(F), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2661, 2663; Pub. L. 106–569, title VII, § 706, Dec. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 3015.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490a

§ 1490b. Housing for rural trainees
(a) Authorization; financial and technical assistance; selection of training sites and location of housing
(b) Quality of housing and related facilities; design and location
(c) Contribution of land by applicant
(d) Conditions precedent to grant of financial assistance
No financial assistance shall be made available under this section unless, to the extent and for the periods required by the Secretary, the applicant agrees that—
(1) such housing will be maintained at all times in a safe and sanitary condition in accordance with standards prescribed by State or local law, or, in the absence of such standards, with requirements prescribed by the Secretary;
(2) priority shall be given at all times, in granting occupancy of such housing and facilities, to the trainees and their families described in subsection (a); and
(3) rentals charged them shall not exceed amounts approved by the Secretary after considering the portion of the actual total family income which the family can afford to pay for rent while meeting its other immediate needs during occupancy.
(e) Advances; repayment; limitation on amount
(f) Sale of housing and related facilities to ineligible transferee or diversion to use other than primary purpose; repayment of advances; return of property to original condition
(g) Interest on advances
(h) Regulations
(i) “Related facilities” and “trainee” defined
(j) Authorization of appropriations
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 522, as added Pub. L. 90–448, title X, § 1002, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 551; amended Pub. L. 98–479, title II, § 201(c), Oct. 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 2228; Pub. L. 100–242, title III, § 316(e), Feb. 5, 1988, 101 Stat. 1898.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490b

§ 1490c. Mutual and self-help housing
(a) Purpose
(b) Contract authority; establishment of Self-Help Housing Land Development Fund; authorization to make loans; conditions of loanIn order to carry out the purposes of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) is authorized—
(1)
(A) to make grants to, or contract with, public or private nonprofit corporations, agencies, institutions, organizations, Indian tribes, and other associations approved by him, to pay part or all of the costs of developing, conducting, administering, or coordinating effective and comprehensive programs of technical and supervisory assistance which will aid needy low-income individuals and their families in carrying out mutual or self-help housing efforts, including the repair of units financed under section 1472 of this title that are being held in inventory; and
(B) to establish the Self-Help Housing Land Development Fund, referred to herein as the Self-Help Fund, to be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for making loans, on such terms and conditions and in such amounts as he deems necessary, to public or private nonprofit organizations and to Indian tribes for the acquisition and development of land as building sites to be subdivided and sold to families, nonprofit organizations, and cooperatives eligible for assistance under section 1715z or 1715z–1 of title 12 or section 1490a of this title. Such a loan, with interest at a rate not to exceed 3 percent per annum, shall be repaid within a period not to exceed five years from the making of the loan, or within such additional period as may be authorized by the Secretary in any case as being necessary to carry out the purposes hereof: Provided, That the Secretary may advance funds under this paragraph to organizations receiving assistance under clause (A) to enable them to establish revolving accounts for the purchase of land options and any such advances may bear interest at a rate determined by the Secretary and shall be repaid to the Secretary at the expiration of the period for which the grant to the organization involved was made;
(2) to make grants to, or contract with, national or regional private nonprofit corporations to provide training and technical assistance to public or private nonprofit corporations, agencies, institutions, organizations, and other associations, including Indian tribes, eligible to receive assistance under this section in order to expand the use of authorities contained in this section and to improve performance; and
(3) to make loans, on such terms and conditions and in such amounts as he deems necessary, to needy low-income individuals participating in programs of mutual or self-help housing approved by him, for the acquisition and development of land and for the purchase of such other building materials as may be necessary in order to enable them, by providing substantially all of their own labor, and by cooperating with others participating in such programs, to carry out to completion the construction of decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings for such individuals and their families, subject to the following limitations:
(A) there is reasonable assurance of repayment of the loan;
(B) the amount of the loan, together with other funds which may be available, is adequate to achieve the purpose for which the loan is made;
(C) the credit assistance is not otherwise available on like terms or conditions from private sources or through other Federal, State, or local programs;
(D) the loan bears interest at a rate not to exceed 3 per centum per annum on the unpaid balance of principal, plus such additional charge, if any, toward covering other costs of the loan program as the Secretary may determine to be consistent with its purposes; and
(E) the loan is repayable within not more than thirty-three years.
(c) Considerations for financial assistance
(d) “Construction” defined
(e) Establishment of appropriate criteria and procedures for determining eligibility of applicants
(f) Repealed. Pub. L. 102–550, title VII, § 710(2), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3840
(g) Deposit in Self-Help Fund; availability of amounts; assets
(h) Rules and regulations
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 523, as added Pub. L. 90–448, title X, § 1005, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 553; amended Pub. L. 93–117, § 13(d), Oct. 2, 1973, 87 Stat. 423; Pub. L. 93–383, title V, § 512, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 695; Pub. L. 95–60, § 4(d), June 30, 1977, 91 Stat. 258; Pub. L. 95–80, § 4(d), July 31, 1977, 91 Stat. 340; Pub. L. 95–128, title V, § 501(d), Oct. 12, 1977, 91 Stat. 1139; Pub. L. 95–406, § 7(d), Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 881; Pub. L. 95–557, title V, § 501(g), (h), Oct. 31, 1978, 92 Stat. 2111; Pub. L. 96–71, § 5(d), Sept. 28, 1979, 93 Stat. 502; Pub. L. 96–105, § 5(d), Nov. 8, 1979, 93 Stat. 795; Pub. L. 96–153, title V, §§ 501(d), (e), 505, Dec. 21, 1979, 93 Stat. 1133, 1135; Pub. L. 96–372, § 6(e), Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1365; Pub. L. 96–399, title V, §§ 501(d), 507(e), Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1668, 1670; Pub. L. 97–35, title III, § 351(e), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 421; Pub. L. 97–289, § 3(c), Oct. 6, 1982, 96 Stat. 1231; Pub. L. 98–35, § 3(c), May 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 198; Pub. L. 98–109, § 4(c), Oct. 1, 1983, 97 Stat. 746; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 511(d), (e)], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1244; Pub. L. 98–479, title II, § 204(c)(2), Oct. 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 2233; Pub. L. 99–120, § 3(c), Oct. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 503; Pub. L. 99–156, § 3(c), Nov. 15, 1985, 99 Stat. 816; Pub. L. 99–219, § 3(c), Dec. 26, 1985, 99 Stat. 1731; Pub. L. 99–267, § 3(c), Mar. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 74; Pub. L. 99–272, title III, § 3009(c), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 106; Pub. L. 99–289, § 1(b), May 2, 1986, 100 Stat. 412; Pub. L. 99–345, § 1, June 24, 1986, 100 Stat. 673; Pub. L. 99–430, Sept. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 986; Pub. L. 100–122, § 1, Sept. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 793; Pub. L. 100–154, Nov. 5, 1987, 101 Stat. 890; Pub. L. 100–170, Nov. 17, 1987, 101 Stat. 914; Pub. L. 100–179, Dec. 3, 1987, 101 Stat. 1018; Pub. L. 100–200, Dec. 21, 1987,

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490c

§ 1490d. Loans to nonprofit organizations to provide building sites for eligible families, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and cooperatives; interest rates; factors determinative in making loan
(a)
(1)In general.—The Secretary may make loans, on such terms and conditions and in such amounts he deems necessary, to public or private nonprofit organizations and to Indian tribes for the acquisition and development of land as building sites to be subdivided and sold to families, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and cooperatives eligible for assistance under any section of this subchapter or under any other law which provides financial assistance for housing low- and moderate-income families. Such a loan shall bear interest at a rate prescribed by the Secretary taking into consideration a rate determined annually by the Secretary of the Treasury as the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods to maturity comparable to the average maturities of such loans, adjusted to the nearest one-eighth of 1 per centum, and shall be repaid within a period not to exceed five years from the making of the loan or within such additional period as may be authorized by the Secretary in any case as being necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
(2)Revolving funds.—The Secretary may make grants to nonprofit housing agencies to establish revolving loan funds for the acquisition and preparation of building sites for low-income housing. Any proceeds and repayments from such loans shall be returned to the revolving loan fund to be used for purposes related to this section. Loan funds and interest payments shall be used solely for the acquisition of land; the preparation of land for building sites; the payment of reimbursable legal and technical costs; and technical assistance and administrative costs, not to exceed 10 percent of the fund.
(b) In determining whether to extend financial assistance under this section, the Secretary shall take into consideration, among other factors, (1) the suitability of the area to the types of dwellings which can feasibly be provided, and (2) the extent to which the assistance will (i) facilitate providing needed decent, safe, and sanitary housing, (ii) be utilized efficiently and expeditiously, and (iii) fulfill a need in the area which is not otherwise being met through other programs, including those being carried out by other Federal, State, or local agencies.
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 524, as added Pub. L. 91–152, title IV, § 413(f)(1), Dec. 24, 1969, 83 Stat. 399; amended Pub. L. 93–383, title V, § 513, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 696; Pub. L. 96–399, title V, § 507(f), Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1670; Pub. L. 102–550, title VII, § 715, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3842; Pub. L. 118–42, div. B, title VII, § 761, Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 115.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490d

§ 1490e. Programs of technical and supervisory assistance for low-income individuals and families in rural areas
(a) Grants or contracts with public or private nonprofit corporations, etc., for assistance; preferential treatment of applications sponsored by governmental entity or public body
(b) Loans to public or private nonprofit corporations, etc., for necessary planning and financing expenses; interest rates; factors determinative of amount; terms and conditions of repayment
(c) Repealed. Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 518(b)], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1249
(d) Deposit of appropriated funds into low-income sponsor fund; availability; administration of fund as revolving fund; deposit of repayments
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 525, as added Pub. L. 93–383, title V, § 515, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 697; amended Pub. L. 95–557, title V, § 501(i), Oct. 31, 1978, 92 Stat. 2111; Pub. L. 96–399, title V, § 507(g), Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1670; Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 518], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1249.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490e

§ 1490f. Loans and insurance of loans for condominium housing in rural areas
(a) Individual loans and insurance of loans to low or moderate income persons or families for purchase of units; terms and conditions
(b) Scope of individual loans and insurance of loans; condominium requirements
(c) Blanket loans and insurance of loans; terms and conditions; certification by borrower of future ownership of multifamily project; maximum amount of principal obligation
(d) “Condominium” defined
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 526, as added Pub. L. 93–383, title V, § 516(a), Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 698; amended Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 519(a)], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1249; Pub. L. 100–242, title III, § 316(f), Feb. 5, 1988, 101 Stat. 1898.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490f

§ 1490g. Repealed. Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 503(c)], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1241

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490g

§ 1490h. Taxation of property held by Secretary
All property subject to a lien held by the United States or the title to which is acquired or held by the Secretary under this subchapter other than property used for administrative purposes shall be subject to taxation by a State, Commonwealth, territory, possession, district, and local political subdivisions in the same manner and to the same extent as other property is taxed: Provided, That no tax shall be imposed or collected on or with respect to any instrument if the tax is based on—
(1) the value of any notes or mortgages or other lien instruments held by or transferred to the Secretary;
(2) any notes or lien instruments administered under this subchapter which are made, assigned, or held by a person otherwise liable for such tax; or
(3) the value of any property conveyed or transferred to the Secretary, whether as a tax on the instrument, the privilege of conveying or transferring, or the recordation thereof; nor shall the failure to pay or collect any such tax be a ground for refusal to record or file such instruments, or for failure to impart notice, or prevent the enforcement of its provisions in any State or Federal court.
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 528, as added Pub. L. 95–128, title V, § 512(a), Oct. 12, 1977, 91 Stat. 1142; amended Pub. L. 98–479, title II, § 204(c)(3), Oct. 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 2233.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490h

§ 1490i. Repealed. Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 506(b)], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1242

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490i

§ 1490j. Conditions on rent increases in projects receiving assistance under other provisions of law

The Secretary may not approve any increase in rental payments, with respect to units in which the tenants are paying rentals in excess of 30 per centum of their incomes, in any project which is assisted under section 1484, 1485, or 1487 of this title and under section 1490a(a)(1)(B) of this title unless the project owner is receiving, or has applied for (within the most recent period of 180 days prior to the effective date of such increase), assistance payments with respect to such project under section 1490a(a)(2)(A) or 1490a(a)(5) of this title or section 1437f of this title.

(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 530, as added Pub. L. 96–399, title V, § 509, Oct. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1670; amended Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 517(d)], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1248; Pub. L. 105–276, title V, § 599C(e)(2)(G), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2663.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490j

§ 1490k. FHA insurance

The Secretary is authorized to act as an agent of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to recommend insurance of any mortgage meeting the requirements of section 1709 of title 12.

(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 531, as added Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 520], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1249.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490k

§ 1490l. Processing of applications
(a) Priority
Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), the Secretary shall, in making assistance available under this subchapter, give a priority to applications submitted by—
(1) persons and families that have the greatest housing assistance needs because of their low income and their residing in inadequate dwellings;
(2) applicants applying for assistance for projects that will serve such persons and families; and
(3) applicants residing in areas which are the most rural in character.
(b) Preliminary reservation of assistance at time of initial approval of project
(c) Prioritization of section 1485 housing assistance
(1) In general
(2) Objective measures
The Secretary shall use the following objective measures to determine the need for rental housing assistance under paragraph (1):
(A) The incidence of poverty.
(B) The lack of affordable housing and the existence of substandard housing.
(C) The lack of mortgage credit.
(D) The rural characteristics of the location.
(E) Other factors as determined by the Secretary, demonstrating the need for affordable housing.
(3) Information
(4) Designation
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 532, as added Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 521], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1250; amended Pub. L. 104–180, title VII, § 734(f), Aug. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 1604.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490l

§ 1490m. Housing preservation grants
(a) Statement of purposesThe purpose of this section is to authorize the Secretary to make grants to eligible grantees including private nonprofit organizations, Indian tribes, general units of local government, counties, States, and consortia of other eligible grantees, in order to—
(1) rehabilitate or replace single family housing in rural areas which is owned by low- and very low-income persons and families, and
(2) rehabilitate or replace rental properties or cooperative housing which has a membership resale structure that enables the cooperative to maintain affordability for persons of low income in rural areas serving low- and very low-income occupants.
The Secretary may also provide tenant-based assistance as provided under section 1437f of this title or section 1490r of this title upon the request of grantees in order to minimize the displacement of very low-income tenants residing in units rehabilitated or replaced with assistance under this section.
(b) Mandatory program requirementsPreservation programs assisted under this section shall—
(1) be used to provide loans or grants to owners of single family housing in order to cover the cost of repairs and improvements;
(2) be used to provide loans or grants, not to exceed $15,000 per unit, to owners of single family housing to replace existing housing if repair or rehabilitation of the housing is determined by the Secretary not to be practicable and the owner of the housing is unable to afford a loan under section 1472 of this title for replacement housing;
(3) be used to provide interest reduction payment;
(4) be used to provide loans or grants to owners of rental housing, except that rental rehabilitation or replacement assistance provided under this subsection for any structure shall not exceed 75 per centum of the total costs associated with the rehabilitation or replacement of that structure;
(5) be used to provide other comparable assistance that the Secretary deems appropriate to carry out the purpose of this section, designed to reduce the costs of such repair, rehabilitation, and replacement in order to make such housing affordable by persons of low income and, to the extent feasible, by persons and families whose incomes do not exceed 50 per centum of the area median income;
(6) benefit low- and very low-income persons and families in rural areas, without causing the displacement of current residents; and
(7) raise health and safety conditions to meet those specified in section 1479(a) of this title.
(c) Allocation formula; transfer of funds; maximum amounts
(1) The Secretary shall allocate grant funds under this section for use in each State on the basis of a formula contained in a regulation prescribed by the Secretary using the average of the ratios between—
(A) the population of the rural areas in that State and the population of the rural areas of all States;
(B) the extent of poverty in the rural areas in that State and the extent of poverty in the rural areas of all States; and
(C) the extent of substandard housing in the rural areas of that State and the extent of substandard housing in the rural areas of all States.
Any funds which are allocated to a State but uncommitted to grantees will be transferred to the State office of the Farmers Home Administration in a timely manner and be used for authorized rehabilitation activities under section 1474 of this title. Funds obligated, but subsequently unspent and deobligated, may remain available, to the extent provided in appropriations Acts, for use as housing preservation grants in ensuing fiscal years.
(2) Unless there is only one eligible grantee in a State, a single grantee may not receive more than 50 per centum of a State’s allocation.
(d) Statement of activity by grantee; submission; contents; availability; consultations; evaluation by Secretary; criteria applicable; maximum amounts
(1) Eligible grantees may submit a statement of activity to the Secretary at the time specified by the program administrator, containing a description of its proposed preservation program. The statement shall consist of the activities each entity proposes to undertake for the fiscal year, and the projected progress in carrying out those activities. The statement of activities shall be made available to the public for comment.
(2) In preparing such statement, the grantee shall consult with and consider the views of appropriate local officials.
(3) The Secretary shall evaluate the merits of each statement on the basis of such criteria as the Secretary shall prescribe, including the extent—
(A) to which the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement activities will assist persons of low income who lack adequate shelter, with priority given to applications assisting the maximum number of persons and families whose incomes do not exceed 50 per centum of the area median income;
(B) to which the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement activities include the participation of other public or private organizations in providing assistance, in addition to the assistance provided under this section, in order to lower the costs of such activities or provide for the leveraging of available funds to supplement the rural housing preservation grant program;
(C) to which such activities will be undertaken in rural areas having populations below 10,000 or in remote parts of other rural areas;
(D) to which the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement activities may be expected to result in achieving the greatest degree of repair or improvement for the least cost per unit or dwelling;
(E) to which the program would minimize displacement;
(F) to which the program would alleviate overcrowding in rural residences inhabited by low- and very low-income persons and families;
(G) to which the program would minimize the use of grant funds for administrative purposes; and
(H) to which the owner agrees to meet the requirement of subsection (e)(1)(B)(iv) for a period longer than 5 years;
and shall assess the demonstrated capacity of the grantee to carry out the program as well as the financial feasibility of the program.
(4) The amount of assistance provided under this section with respect to any housing shall be the least amount that the Secretary determines is necessary to provide, through the repair and rehabilitation, or replacement, of such housing, decent housing of modest design that is affordable for persons of low income.
(5) A grantee may use housing preservation grant funds under this section for replacement housing only after providing documentation to the Secretary that—
(A) the existing housing is in such poor condition that rehabilitation is not economically feasible;
(B) the owner of the housing lacks the income or repayment ability necessary to qualify for a loan under section 1472 of this title; and
(C) the grantee will extend assistance to the owner of the housing under terms that the owner can afford.
(e) Limitations on assistance; failure to implement required agreement
(1) Assistance under this section may be provided with respect to rental or cooperative housing only if—
(A) the owner has entered into such agreements with the Secretary as may be necessary to assure compliance with the requirements of this section, to assure the financial feasibility of such housing, and to carry out the other provisions of this section;
(B) the owner agrees—
(i) to pass on to the tenants any reduction in the debt service payments resulting from the assistance provided under this section;
(ii) not to convert the units to condominium ownership (or in the case of a cooperative, to condominium ownership or any form of cooperative ownership not eligible for assistance under this section);
(iii) not to refuse to rent a dwelling unit in the structure to a family solely because the family is receiving or is eligible to receive assistance under any Federal, State, or local housing assistance program; and
(iv) that the units repaired and rehabilitated with such assistance will be occupied, or available for occupancy, by persons of low income;
during the 5-year period beginning on the date on which the units in the housing are available for occupancy;
(C) the unit of general local government or nonprofit organization that receives the assistance certifies to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the assistance will be made available in conformity with Public Law 88–352 [42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.] and Public Law 90–284;
(D) the owner agrees to enter into and abide by written leases with the tenants, which leases shall provide that tenants may be evicted only for good cause; and
(E) the unit of general local government or nonprofit organization will agree to supervise repairs and rehabilitation and will agree to have a disinterested party inspect such repairs and rehabilitation.
(2) Assistance under this section provided with respect to any housing other than rental or cooperative housing may be provided only if the owner complies with the requirements set forth in subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) and any other requirements established by the Secretary to carry out the purpose of this section.
(3)
(A) The Secretary shall provide that if the owner or his or her successors in interest fail to carry out the agreements described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) during the applicable period, the owner or his or her successors in interest shall make a payment to the Secretary of an amount that equals the total amount of assistance provided under this section with respect to such housing, plus interest thereon (without compounding), for each year and any fraction thereof that the assistance was outstanding, at a rate determined by the Secretary taking into account the average yield on outstanding marketable long-term obligations of the United States during the month preceding the date on which the assistance was made available.
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any assistance provided under this section shall constitute a debt, which is payable in the case of any failure to carry out the agreements described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1), and shall be secured by the security instruments provided by the owner to the Secretary.
(f) Advance payments of assistance
(g) Annual review and audit by Secretary of activities; adjustment, etc., of resources; reallocation of amounts
(h) Rules and regulations; delegation of authority
(1) The Secretary is authorized to prescribe such rules and regulations and make such delegations of authority as he deems necessary to carry out this section within 90 days after November 30, 1983.
(2) The Secretary shall, not later than the expiration of the 30-day period following February 5, 1988, issue regulations to carry out the program of grants under subsection (a)(2).
(i) National historic preservation objectives affected by rehabilitation activities; establishment of procedures for determining consonant purposes and measures
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 533, as added Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 522], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1250; amended Pub. L. 100–242, title III, §§ 310, 316(g), Feb. 5, 1988, 101 Stat. 1896, 1898; Pub. L. 101–625, title VII, § 717, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4296; Pub. L. 102–550, title VII, §§ 706(1), 711, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3835, 3840; Pub. L. 105–276, title V, § 550(e), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2610; Pub. L. 105–362, title I, § 101(h), Nov. 10, 1998, 112 Stat. 3281.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490m

§ 1490n. Review of rules and regulations
(a) Publication for public comment in Federal Register
(b) Transmittal to Congressional committee members prior to publication in Federal Register
(c) Rules and regulations issued on emergency basis
(d) Regulatory authority
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 534, as added Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 523], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1254; amended Pub. L. 100–242, title V, § 563(b), Feb. 5, 1988, 101 Stat. 1944.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490n

§ 1490o. Reciprocity in approval of housing subdivisions among Federal agencies
(a) Administrative approval of housing subdivisions
(b) Certificates of reasonable value for one or more properties as constituting administrative approval of subdivision
(c) Report to Congress
(d) Approval by local, county, or State agencies
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 535, as added Pub. L. 98–181, title I [title V, § 523], Nov. 30, 1983, 97 Stat. 1254; amended Pub. L. 100–628, title X, § 1067, Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3276; Pub. L. 101–235, title III, § 303, Dec. 15, 1989, 103 Stat. 2044; Pub. L. 101–625, title VII, § 718(a), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4297; Pub. L. 102–54, § 13(q)(5), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 280; Pub. L. 102–550, title VII, § 716(a), (c), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3842; Pub. L. 103–120, § 8(a), Oct. 27, 1993, 107 Stat. 1151.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490o

§ 1490p. Accountability
(a) Notice regarding assistance
(1) Publication of notice of availability
(2) Publication of application procedures
(3) Publication of selection criteria
(4) Documentation of decisions
(A) The Secretary shall award or allocate assistance only in response to a written application in a form approved in advance by the Secretary, except where other award or allocation procedures are specified in statute.
(B) The Secretary shall ensure that documentation and other information regarding each application for assistance is sufficient to indicate the basis on which any award or allocation was made or denied. The preceding sentence shall apply to—
(i) any application for an award or allocation of assistance made by the Secretary to a State, unit of general local government, or other recipient of assistance, and
(ii) any application for a subsequent award or allocation of such assistance by such State, unit of general local government or other recipient.
(C) The Secretary shall ensure that each application and all related documentation and other information referred to in subparagraph (B) is readily available for public inspection for a period of not less than 10 years, beginning not less than 30 days following the date on which the award or allocation is made.
(5) Emergency exception
(b) Disclosures by applicantsThe Secretary shall require the disclosure of information with respect to any application for assistance under this subchapter submitted by any applicant who has received or, in the determination of the Secretary, can reasonably be expected to receive assistance under this subchapter in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate during any fiscal year. Such information shall include the following:
(1) Other government assistance
(2) Interested parties
(3) Expected sources and uses
(c) Updating of disclosure
(d) Repealed. Pub. L. 104–65, § 11(b)(2), Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 701
(e) Remedies and penalties
(1) Administrative remediesIf the Secretary receives or obtains information providing a reasonable basis to believe that a violation of subsection (b), (c), or (d) this 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “of this”.
section has occurred, the Secretary shall—
(A) in the case of a selection that has not been made, determine whether to terminate the selection process or take other appropriate actions; and
(B) in the case of a selection that has been made, determine whether to—
(i) void or rescind the selection, subject to review and determination on the record after opportunity for a hearing;
(ii) impose sanctions upon the violator, including debarment, subject to review and determination on the record after opportunity for a hearing;
(iii) recapture any funds that have been disbursed;
(iv) permit the violating applicant selected to continue to participate in the program; or
(v) take any other actions that the Secretary considers appropriate.
The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a descriptive statement of each determination made and action taken under this paragraph.
(2) Civil penaltiesWhoever violates any section 2
2 So in original. Probably should be “subsection”.
of this section shall be subject to the imposition of a civil penalty in a civil action brought by the United States in an appropriate district court of the United States. A civil penalty under this paragraph may not exceed—
(A) $100,000 in the case of an individual; or
(B) $1,000,000 in the case of an applicant other than an individual.
(3) Deposit of penalties in insurance funds
(4) Nonexclusiveness of remedies
(f) Limitation of assistance
(g) Regulations
(h) “Assistance” defined
(i) Report by Secretary
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 536, as added Pub. L. 101–235, title IV, § 401(a), Dec. 15, 1989, 103 Stat. 2045; amended Pub. L. 101–625, title VII, § 719(a), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4297; Pub. L. 104–65, § 11(b)(2), Dec. 19, 1995, 109 Stat. 701.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490p

§ 1490p–1. Office of Rural Housing Preservation
(a) Establishment
(b) Purposes
The purposes of the Office are:
(1) to review and process applications under section 1472(c) of this title and section 1485(t) of this title related to the preservation of rural rental housing;
(2) to provide technical or financial assistance to any other projects needing such assistance;
(3) to coordinate and direct all other activities related to the preservation of rural housing; and
(4) to monitor compliance of projects prepaid or receiving incentives under the Housing Act of 1949.
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 537, as added Pub. L. 102–550, title VII, § 712(c), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3841.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490p-1

§ 1490p–2. Loan guarantees for multifamily rental housing in rural areas
(a) Authority
(b) Extent of guarantee
(c) Eligible borrowers
(d) Eligible housingA loan may be guaranteed under this section only if the loan is used for the development costs of housing and related facilities (as such terms are defined in section 1485(e) of this title) that—
(1) consists of 5 or more adequate dwellings;
(2) is available for occupancy only by low or moderate income 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “low- or moderate-income”.
families or persons, whose incomes at the time of initial occupancy do not exceed 115 percent of the median income of the area, as determined by the Secretary;
(3) will remain available as provided in paragraph (2), according to such binding commitments as the Secretary may require, for the period of the original term of the loan guaranteed, unless the housing is acquired by foreclosure (or instrument in lieu of foreclosure) or the Secretary waives the applicability of such requirement for the loan only after determining, based on objective information, that—
(A) there is no longer a need for low- and moderate-income housing in the market area in which the housing is located;
(B) housing opportunities for low-income households and minorities will not be reduced as a result of the waiver; and
(C) additional Federal assistance will not be necessary as a result of the waiver; and
(4) is located in a rural area.
(e) Eligible lenders
(1) RequirementA loan may be guaranteed under this section only if the loan is made by a lender that the Secretary determines—
(A) meets the qualifications, and has been approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to make loans for multifamily housing that are to be insured under the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.];
(B) meets the qualifications, and has been approved by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, to make loans for multifamily housing that are to be sold to such corporations; or
(C) meets any qualifications that the Secretary may, by regulation, establish for participation of lenders in the loan guarantee program under this section.
(2) Eligibility list and annual audit
(f) Loan termsEach loan guaranteed pursuant to this section shall—
(1) be made for a period of not less than 25 nor greater than 40 years from the date the loan was made and may provide for amortization of the loan over a period of not to exceed 40 years with a final payment of the balance due at the end of the loan term;
(2) involve a rate of interest agreed upon by the borrower and the lender that does not exceed the maximum allowable rate established by the Secretary for purposes of this section and is fixed over the term of the loan;
(3) involve a principal obligation (including initial service charges, appraisal, inspection, and other fees as the Secretary may approve) not to exceed—
(A) in the case of a borrower that is a nonprofit organization or an agency or body of any State or local government, 97 percent of the development costs of the housing and related facilities or the value of the housing and facilities, whichever is less;
(B) in the case of a borrower that is a for-profit entity not referred to in subparagraph (A), 90 percent of the development costs of the housing and related facilities or the value of the housing and facilities, whichever is less; and
(C) in the case of any borrower, for such part of the property as may be attributable to dwelling use, the applicable maximum per unit dollar amount limitations under section 207(c) of the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1713(c)];
(4) be secured by a first mortgage on the housing and related facilities for which the loan is made, or otherwise, as the Secretary may determine necessary to ensure repayment of the obligation; and
(5) for at least 20 percent of the loans made under this section, the Secretary shall provide the borrower with assistance in the form of credits pursuant to section 1490a(a)(1)(B) of this title to the extent necessary to reduce the rate of interest under paragraph (2) to the applicable Federal rate, as such term is used in section 42(i)(2)(D) 2
2 See References in Text note below.
of title 26.
(g) Guarantee fee
(h) Authority for lenders to issue certificates of guarantee
(i) Payment under guarantee
(1) Notice of default
(2) Foreclosure
(3) Assignment by Secretary
(4) Requirements
(j) Violation of guarantee requirements by lenders issuing guarantees
(1) IndemnificationIf the Secretary determines that a loan guaranteed by an eligible lender pursuant to delegation of authority under subsection (h) was not originated in accordance with the requirements under this section and the Secretary pays a claim under the guarantee for the loan, the Secretary may require the eligible lender authorized under subsection (h) to issue the guarantee certificate for the loan—
(A) to indemnify the Secretary for the loss, if the payment under the guarantee was made within a reasonable period specified by the Secretary; or
(B) to indemnify the Secretary for the loss regardless of when payment under the guarantee was made, if the Secretary determines that fraud or misrepresentation was involved in connection with the origination of the loan.
(2) Termination of authority to issue guarantees
(k) Refinancing
(l) Geographical targeting
(1) Study
(2) Targeting
(m) Inapplicability of credit-elsewhere test
(n) Tenant protections
(o) Housing standards
(p) Limitation on commitments to guarantee loans
(1) Requirement of appropriations for cost subsidy
(2) Annual limitation on amount of loan guarantee
(q) Report
(1) In general
(2) ContentsThe report shall—
(A) describe the types of borrowers providing housing with loans guaranteed under this section, the areas served by the housing provided and the geographical distribution of the housing, the levels of income of the residents of the housing, the number of dwelling units provided, the extent to which borrowers under such loans have obtained other financial assistance for development costs of housing provided with the loans, and the extent to which borrowers under such loans have used low-income housing tax credits provided under section 42 of title 26 in connection with the housing provided with the loans;
(B) analyze the financial viability of the housing provided with loans guaranteed under this section and the need for project-based rental assistance for such housing;
(C) include any recommendations of the Secretary for expanding or improving the program under this section for guaranteeing loans; and
(D) include any other information regarding the program for guaranteeing loans under this section that the Secretary considers appropriate.
(r) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term “development cost” has the meaning given the term in section 1485(e) of this title.
(2) The term “eligible lender” means a lender determined by the Secretary to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of subsection (e)(1).
(3) The terms “housing” and “related facilities” have the meanings given such terms in section 1485(e) of this title.
(4)Indian tribe.—The term “Indian tribe” means—
(A) any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation, as defined by or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (
(B) any entity established by the governing body of an Indian tribe described in subparagraph (A) for the purpose of financing economic development.
(s) Authorization of appropriations
(t) Tax-exempt financing
(u) Fee authority
(v) Defaults of loans secured by reservation lands
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 538, as added and amended Pub. L. 104–120, § 5, Mar. 28, 1996, 110 Stat. 835; Pub. L. 105–86, title VII, § 735(c), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2111; Pub. L. 105–276, title V, § 599C(c), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2661; Pub. L. 106–569, title VII, § 707, Dec. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 3015.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490p-2

§ 1490q. Disaster assistance
(a) Authority
(1) In general
(2) Amount
Subject to the availability of amounts pursuant to appropriations Acts, assistance under paragraph (1) shall be made in an amount equal to the product of—
(A) the sum of the official State estimate of the number of dwelling units in the counties described in paragraph (1) within the eligible service area of the Farmers Home Administration (or otherwise if the Secretary provides for a waiver under subsection (d)) that are destroyed or seriously damaged; and
(B) 20 percent of the average cost of all dwelling units assisted by the Secretary in the State during the previous 3 years.
(b) Use
(c) Eligibility
(d) Waiver of rural area requirements
(e) Rural Housing Insurance Fund
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 541, as added Pub. L. 101–625, title IX, § 934, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4404; amended Pub. L. 102–550, title VII, § 713, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3842.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490q

§ 1490r. Rural housing voucher program
(a) In general
(b) Coordination and limitation
In carrying out the rural housing voucher program under this section, the Secretary shall—
(1) coordinate activities under this section with activities assisted under sections 1485 and 1490m of this title; and
(2) enter into contracts for assistance for not more than 5000 units in any fiscal year.
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 542, as added Pub. L. 102–550, title VII, § 706(2), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3835.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490r

§ 1490s. Enforcement provisions
(a) Equity skimming
(1) Criminal penalty
(2) Civil sanctions
(b) Civil monetary penalties
(1) In general
The Secretary may, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, impose a civil monetary penalty in accordance with this subsection against any individual or entity, including its owners, officers, directors, general partners, limited partners, or employees, who knowingly and materially violate, or participate in the violation of, the provisions of this subchapter, the regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to this subchapter, or agreements made in accordance with this subchapter, by—
(A) submitting information to the Secretary that is false;
(B) providing the Secretary with false certifications;
(C) failing to submit information requested by the Secretary in a timely manner;
(D) failing to maintain the property subject to loans made or guaranteed under this subchapter in good repair and condition, as determined by the Secretary;
(E) failing to provide management for a project which received a loan made or guaranteed under this subchapter that is acceptable to the Secretary; or
(F) failing to comply with the provisions of applicable civil rights statutes and regulations.
(2) Conditions for renewal or extension
(3) Amount
(A) In general
The amount of a civil monetary penalty imposed under this subsection shall not exceed the greater of—
(i) twice the damages the Department of Agriculture, the guaranteed lender, or the project that is secured for a loan under this section suffered or would have suffered as a result of the violation; or
(ii) $50,000 per violation.
(B) Determination
In determining the amount of a civil monetary penalty under this subsection, the Secretary shall take into consideration—
(i) the gravity of the offense;
(ii) any history of prior offenses by the violator (including offenses occurring prior to the enactment of this section);
(iii) the ability of the violator to pay the penalty;
(iv) any injury to tenants;
(v) any injury to the public;
(vi) any benefits received by the violator as a result of the violation;
(vii) deterrence of future violations; and
(viii) such other factors as the Secretary may establish by regulation.
(4) Payment of penalties
(5) Remedies for noncompliance
(A) Judicial intervention
(B) Reviewability of determination
(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 543, as added Pub. L. 106–569, title VII, § 708(a), Dec. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 3016.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490s

§ 1490t. Indian tribes

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) and title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) shall not apply to actions by federally recognized Indian tribes (including instrumentalities of such Indian tribes) under this Act.

(July 15, 1949, ch. 338, title V, § 544, as added Pub. L. 109–136, § 4, Dec. 22, 2005, 119 Stat. 2644.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 1490t